Manager accused over airport thefts

An employee of a State-owned enterprise is to face trial after he allegedly stole three suitcases at Beijing's airport, prosecutors said on Monday.

The suspect, surnamed Zhang, is in his 30s and works as a manager in Gansu province. He has been detained since November after he took the suitcases at Beijing Capital International Airport, according to prosecutors from the capital's Chaoyang district.

The cases and the items they contained were worth more than 30,000 yuan ($4,800), the prosecutors said, adding that Zhang will be charged with larceny within two weeks.

"The three suitcases Zhang allegedly took are the products of a world-renowned luxury brand, and the suspect carried out the thefts at the check-in area," said Wang Pu, the prosecutor responsible for the case.

Zhang was arrested in November after the owner of one of the suitcases, which went missing on Oct 19 at the airport's Terminal 2, called the police, Wang said.

Footage from surveillance cameras monitoring an area used by passengers waiting to check in their luggage allegedly showed Zhang carrying out a second theft in May when he visited the capital on a business trip, Wang said.

The suspect, who has a law degree and a good income, allegedly wore a mask as he took the luggage, and Wang said he tried to keep away from the video camera.

Zhang told a prosecutor who interviewed him that he had taken the luggage "unconsciously".

He said he tried many different combinations to open the locks after taking the suitcases to his hotel, and this made him feel challenged and excited, Wang added.

"The airport should set up high-definition cameras and assign more officers to verify passengers' identities," said Wang.

Zheng Xiaoyuan, a police officer at the airport, agreed, and said he would urge the airport to improve facilities and contact airlines promptly when suitcases go missing.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn