The Old Heavy Suitcase Trick

The Queens DA announced that two American Airlines baggage handlers at JFK Airport were charged with stealing $280,000 of jewelry from a suitcase checked in and bound for Los Angeles. Apparently Albert Acevedo and Angelo Riviello had a code to let each other know about certain bags; in this instance, Riviello said, "Wow, that’s heavy," and Acevedo, baggage crew head, came over and opened the bag. Acevedo took some of the suitcase's envelopes and later told a colleague, “I made a good find today. These rings add up to $1000.” Riviello later admitted to hiding his take of the jewelry in his microwave while Acevedo admitted he put his stash under his bathroom sink. The Post says the victim is "gem merchant David Diamond," who alerted the police when he bag went missing.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 4, 2008 2:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Future Taliban

"Jen S: having a name that suits your profession is known as a euonym."

Then Bush should REALLY be G W Asswipe.

rcltrh

Most idiotic thing I've ever heard of. Who checks a bag with over a quarter million dollar of valuables in it? Something sounds fishy. They were probably stolen by him from someone else. If not and he was stupid enough to check it as normal baggage, then he deserves it. My god, how many times have I gone to baggage claim only to find the side ripped out of my bags or find them unzipped. They could have just as easily had something like that happen even if not stolen. Lunacy.

ides_of_march

Welcome to New York!

Billiamsburg

regardless these thieves should have their fingers yanked off. prisons are already overcrowded and a drain on taxpayers

moonbeam

That was my first thought, too, #5. I don't even like to check a bag containing new clothes or toiletries!

spiritross

Homeland Security at its finest

Big Al72

Ok, I'm obviously not excusing the theft, but why would you check a suitcase full of diamonds? Isn't there some special insured courier service he could have used?