Police respond to LAX baggage thefts

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Police say a $15,000 camera, Gucci bags, and name-brand clothing and jewelry are among the thousands of dollars in valuables stolen by baggage handlers at Los Angeles International Airport.

Los Angeles police Capt. Raymond Maltez said Thursday that the joint operation with airport police started after police noticed loss and theft reports occurring at the airport more frequently when certain crews handled luggage.

Maltez says while some thieves worked together, most acted on their own, seizing opportunities to pocket items from luggage in transit. He said there was a general culture of acceptance of theft among the baggage handlers.

The thieves targeted bags that were traveling longer distances or had multiple transfers.

Six people have been arrested so far after police served dozens of search warrants Wednesday night.

The people arrested were primarily employees or ex-employees of companies contracted to handle luggage and did not work directly for the airport, Hyams said.

Some of the suspects worked for Menzies Aviation, which has an office at the airport. The alleged crimes "were limited to a handful of employees, acting independently," the company said in a statement Tuesday.

The undercover investigation came in response to a string of theft reports from planes, terminals and runways, police said.

Most of the police activity was at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and at Terminal 4, which handles American Airlines, American Eagle and some Qantas flights.