Seven baggage handlers at New York JFK Airport have been arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery, watches and ipads from checked baggage.
Israeli airline El Al installed a hidden video camera in the hold of one of its B747 aircraft after receiving complaints of missing items. Over a five-month period the airline caught seven employees – often wearing gloves – going through passengers’ suitcases and hiding luxury items in their pockets and down their trousers.
After identifying the men, investigators searched their homes and found a $5,000 Seiko watch, cologne, Valentino sunglasses, 13 other watches and a Sony Playstation. They also found an iPad mini, two iPhones, an iPad, three gold rings, a gold chain with a pendant, and a pair of earrings with white stones.
The suspects, who confessed to their crimes, have been charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree criminal mischief, petit larceny, and attempted petit larceny.