L.A. police: Airport baggage handlers helped themselves to passengers' valuables

L.A. police: Airport baggage handlers helped themselves to passengers' valuables

Why head to the mall when you can go shopping in other people's suitcases? Authorities claim that up to 25 baggage handlers at Los Angeles International Airport did just that, taking what they wanted from passengers' luggage before sending the bags off to the appropriate flight. "Basically everything of value — be it electronics, jewelry, and items — that could be stolen in seconds would be removed from bags," LAX Police Chief Pat Gannon tells the Los Angeles Times. "They'd just open up the suitcases and rifle through them and pocket valuables."

Police are trying to figure out just how long this ring operated and exactly how much was stolen, but they suspect it was thousands of items, with most being sold online. That's why, folks, if you're traveling with something of value, keep it in your carry on. If it's something really impressive, why are you flying commercial?

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.