A pair of men are accused of stealing luggage at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, snatching the bags from baggage carousels. The two men are under arrest tonight. One suspect, Donald Bourne from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was booked on two counts of theft and stolen property. Another suspect, Charles Smith of Metairie has been booked with theft and disturbing the peace. In response to the heightened need, Sheriffs are upping their staffing numbers at the airport.
Meanwhile, security experts recommend the following tips to protect your luggage:
Don’t check luggage, squeeze everything for your trip into carry-on bags so everything is close to you.
· Avoid packing valuables into checked luggage.
· Make your luggage identifiable, customize your look with bright colors, ribbons, busy patterns or your name on the side in tape.
· Don’t carry pricey luggage. Pricey luggage with logos and high prices are just more temptation for thieves.
· Label bags clearly, put your name and contact information on tags inside and outside of the bag.
· Lock up your luggage with a TSA approved lock or strap to secure things.
· Don’t dawdle in the terminal when you get off your plane, make your way to the baggage claim carousels as quickly as possible.
· Photograph the contents of your luggage: If your bags get lost or are stolen, it helps to have proof of what was inside for reporting purposes.