Five Suspects Arrested in Aiport Luggage Thefts

January 2, 2007 -- Houston police have arrested five suspects and say more arrests are possible in connection with the thefts of dozens of pieces of luggage from Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The five suspects are each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in the 182nd State District Court. They are identified as:

* Erick Perez (H/m, DOB 7-22-77)
* Ricardo Aguilar (H/m, DOB 11-19-83)
* Manuel Aguilar (H/m, DOB 11-19-83)
* Carlos Osorio (H/m, DOB 8-12-82)
* Daniel Venegas (H/m, DOB 1-5-81)

All five suspects are employed by Menzies Aviation Group, an airline contractor, and work at the airport. They are not employed or contracted by the Houston Airport System. Menzies Aviation Group representatives have been very cooperative in the investigation.

In addition to 68 pieces of luggage originally recovered from a dumpster at 230 Bammel Westfield on December 26, investigators have recovered an additional 90 pieces of luggage from two separate locations. All stolen luggage involved bags being transferred between connecting flights.

The investigation is ongoing and may result in additional arrests and charges. Anyone with information in these cases is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

JFC/RWB 1-2-07
Inc #198169006

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.