Five Arrested In Luggage Theft Scheme

The mystery surrounding 68 pieces of luggage found in a Houston pet store dumpster the day after Christmas has been solved. Police have five men in custody after cracking a scheme to steal, rifle and discard luggage from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Authorities say the men actually stole some 158 pieces of luggage total -- they found discarded bags in two other undisclosed locations. All the bags had been picked over, presumably to find and take any valuables.

Houston police Captain Rick Bownds told the press authorities arrested twin brothers Manuel and Ricardo Aguilar, 23; Carlos Osorio, 24; Erick Perez, 29; and Daniel Venegas, 26 this week.

The five worked for London-based Menzies Aviation, the company holding the baggage-handling contract at the airport. Menzies says its conducting an internal investigation while it cooperates fully with the police in Houston.

Menzies holds contracts at several airports across the country.

According to police, the five men stole baggage from "virtually every airline" operating at the airport. "These were not stolen from the terminals," Bownds told United Press International. "They were stolen as they were making connections through secure sections of the airport."

Bownds says since the men worked for Menzies, they had legitimate credentials to be in the secure areas. He added more arrests might be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

FMI: www.menziesaviation.com, www.fly2houston.com/iahHome