Sky Harbor luggage contents theft victims urged to call hotline

If you traveled out of Sky Harbor Airport from Terminals 2 and 4 in the last year and received your luggage at your destination, but were missing some items, Phoenix police may have them.

On Aug. 26 at approximately 11 a.m., officers assigned to the Sky Harbor Airport detail observed the suspect, Michael Hegstad, 23, remove two boxes from a conveyer belt. When officers approached the suspect, they discovered he had removed the contents of those boxes. He was immediately taken into custody, and officers interviewed him regarding this incident.

The suspect is a contract employee with “Elite Line Services” (ELS) and had a background check prior to being hired. He is not an employee of Sky Harbor Airport. 
 
During the course of the interview, the suspect admitted to numerous other thefts. He admitted to removing personal belongings from baggage as it moved through the conveyer system after passenger check-in. Officers and detectives investigating this case have been able to retrieve a large quantity of stolen personal items, with an estimated value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
 
Due to the complexity of this investigation, it will take detectives some time to determine the time frame of when these items were stolen and locate all the victims involved,” said Sgt. Steve Martos, PPD media relations spokesman. 
 
The Phoenix Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit working the Sky Harbor Airport theft has now established a “hotline” for potential victims to call regarding stolen property from their luggage in Terminals 2 and 4. The number potential victims should call is 602-495-7827.
 
For potential victims who may want to call:
 
1. Those affected by these thefts were those with outgoing flights.
2.  This is not for lost/stolen luggage. Victims still obtained their luggage after the flight. Items were taken from inside luggage. 
3.  Victims would have been traveling out of Phoenix within the last year.
4.  Victims should be prepared to provide serial numbers, personally applied numbers or identifying characteristics to items. 
5.  Victims should be prepared to provide a description of rare items or jewelry.
6.  Very little clothing was recovered. Items consist of personal electronics, sunglasses, backpacks and purses.   
 
If you have any additional questions regarding this incident, contact Martos at 602-920-3460.  
 
Photos (courtesy of PPD) show recovered electronics, cameras and accessory apparel.