Narcotics Probe Bags Ring of Alleged Luggage Thieves
Detectives who thought they were trailing international drug smugglers stumbled instead upon a ring they believe stole more than 100 pieces of luggage from travelers at Burbank Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and elsewhere, Glendale police said Wednesday.
Narcotics officers who were following two men in a drug probe, in response to a tip, arrested them Tuesday after seeing the men snatch a suitcase from a baggage carousel at Burbank.
Obtaining a search warrant, they entered one suspect’s Glendale apartment and found it filled with apparently stolen luggage, from steamer trunks to briefcases, the detectives said.
“It was packed up fairly well,” said police Lt. Don MacNeil. “After 15 minutes everybody stopped and said, ‘Wait a minute. This isn’t dope!’ ”
On Wednesday, officers put the baggage and its contents on display, filling several tables with clothing, cameras, purses, electronic devices, credit cards, travelers checks and jewelry.
Luggage tags from LAX and seized currency from Israel, Brazil, Japan and India led investigators to believe that international travelers were the prime targets, perhaps on the grounds that foreign visitors carry more valuables or are less likely to report a loss.
Arrested at Burbank Airport were Jorge Castillo, 43, and Benito Filemon Maya, 48. A third suspect, Ruth Romero, 32, was arrested in Glendale. Police said Maya and Romero live at the Glendale apartment where the luggage was seized. Officers said Castillo’s address was not known.
The three were held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grand theft, receiving stolen property and burglary in lieu of $100,000 bail each.
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