Six people have been arrested and several others detained after police officers served search warrants in a months-long investigation into baggage theft at LAX.

The property thefts were linked to a group of individuals, all of whom are current or former employees of companies contracted by airlines for baggage services.  Law enforcement says the investigation began after a string of reports regarding luggage thefts from terminals, runways and planes.  The investigation ultimately involved officers going undercover among the baggage handlers.

The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected to be made.  Law enforcement says that the process now begins of linking the thefts and items to dates and personnel working on those dates.  Jewelry, electronics, clothing and other personal items were among the items stolen.  Many of the arrests were for receiving stolen property and other theft-related offenses and these suspects will be appearing at the Airport Court.

If you have been arrested or given a citation for receiving stolen property, theft, petty theft, burglary or commercial burglary in Los Angeles, it is important not to just “wait to see what happens” with your case.  Theft offenses can often times be resolved beneficially by taking initiative and compensating victims for their loss and any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the theft.  A civil compromise is a valuable resource for attorney Ross Erlich to use as a means to prevent any moral turpitude criminal conviction from appearing on your record.  A civil compromise will permanently suspend criminal proceedings if the compromise is agreed to by the victim and the judge.

Even if a civil compromise is not attainable, being able to pay the restitution back to the victim can vastly improve your negotiating position for a lesser offense or a dismissal altogether.  Contact attorney Ross Erlich today if you have been arrested for theft or receiving stolen property in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Burbank or anywhere throughout Los Angeles County.  Remember, simply “waiting to see what happens” is never the right course of action in a theft-related offense.