SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Wash. – At least nine different people have been recently spotted on surveillance video stealing luggage at Sea-Tac Airport, the Port of Seattle Police Department said Wednesday.
Luggage theft at Sea-Tac is down from this time last year, and police want to keep it that way. That's why they want passengers to be aware of a possible theft ring that has been taking bags.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Police say in all of the cases, the thieves dressed like they just got off a plane, including one couple spotted wearing comfortable clothes, even carrying what looks like their own backpacks, when they steal a bag.
One group of three appear to stand in a row, each swiping a bag before they leave.
“They are here all hours of the day and sometimes when we get an individual that has done this multiple times, they will get a certain pattern but we’ll do focus-policing and focus-patrols,” said Port of Seattle police detective Darin Beam.
Here are some suggestions to better protect yourselves from luggage thieves:
-- Get to the baggage claim before your bag does;
-- Put a marker on your bag to make it stand out;
-- Don’t put valuables in checked bags;
-- Be aware of your surroundings.
Police say the thieves have gotten more sophisticated and are adapting to police tactics, but they say luggage theft is a crime of opportunity that passengers can take measures against.