Frequent Flier "Took 200 Flights to Steal Jewelry"
May 16, 24
(IDEX Online) - Police in India have arrested a frequent flier suspected of stealing jewelry and other valuables from passengers' carry-on luggage after boarding at least 200 flights last year.
They say he took advantage of the commotion during boarding as passengers settled into their seats to open bags in the overhead cabins, targeting elderly woman and other vulnerable passengers in particular.
He would, reportedly, change seats deliberately to be closer to his intended victims.
The man has been identified as Rajesh Kapoor, aged 40. He was arrested in the Paharganj area of Delhi and is now in custody, said police during a press conference at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
He is said to have selected premium domestic flights, such as Air India and Vistara, and to have flown on 110 days last year.
Police trawled flight manifests and CCTV footage from Delhi and Amritsar airports before arresting Kapoor. They say the thefts were to fund his gambling.
Police also arrested an alleged co-conspirator, a jeweler accused of helping him sell the stolen goods.