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SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of stealing luggage from the baggage carousels at the Salt Lake City International Airport has been arrested.
Charles Joseph Masters, 30, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Sunday for investigation of five counts of theft. He is accused of stealing two bags on Sunday around 4:40 p.m., with an estimated worth of about $850. After he was taken into custody, Masters "confessed to multiple additional thefts at the airport," according to a police booking affidavit.
Detectives reviewed surveillance video and observed him stealing luggage on Jan. 18, Feb. 8 and Feb. 21, the affidavit states.
At the time he was taken into custody Sunday, Masters had a warrant out for his arrest on charges of theft and theft by deception filed in November, according to court records. In that case, he is accused of stealing an electronic bike from a trailer in Draper, charging documents state.
The arrest comes just a few weeks after police announced they had arrested two women in a separate investigation who were also allegedly stealing luggage from the airport.
Police say travelers should practice safety precautions such as keeping high-value items in their carry-on luggage whenever possible, keep a record of what they pack and take photos if possible, and try to get to the baggage claim as quickly as possible after landing. Anytime something is stolen, report it to police and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
