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Four American Airlines baggage handlers charged with stealing

Four part-time American Airlines baggage handlers have been arrested on charges of stealing valuables from luggage at Philadelphia International Airport, police said Friday.

Jason T. Marquis
Jason T. MarquisRead more

Four part-time American Airlines baggage handlers have been arrested on charges of stealing valuables from luggage at Philadelphia International Airport, police said Friday.

The four were arrested Thursday morning at the airport's Gate A7, and charged with multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and attempted theft, police said.

Tim Smith, an airline spokesman, said American contacted police "when we saw signs of a problem a couple of months ago."

Detectives working with airline security set up surveillance cameras and caught the men taking electronics, cameras, and jewelry from passengers' bags, officials said. Investigators have not yet released a tally of what was stolen and its possible value.

"We have more than 150 honest, hardworking employees in Philadelphia who do a great job serving our customers every day," the carrier said in a statement provided by Smith. "We take these matters quite seriously, though, and have no patience for this type of behavior."

Smith said each of the arrested baggage handlers had worked for American about nine years. The airline credited police with "an excellent job."

Arrested and charged were: Andre Cooper, 33, of Roberta Avenue, Collingdale; Jason T. Marquis, 32, of Woodview Drive, Media; Victor Soler, 45, of Providence Avenue, Doylestown; and Jermain L. Clore, 37, of the 2800 block of North Franklin Street. All are free while awaiting a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 8.