Hotline set up for potential luggage theft victims

PHOENIX - A hotline has been set up for potential luggage theft victims at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to police on Wednesday.

An airport worker was taken into custody last Thursday and was accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of belongings from passengers' bags at Sky Harbor.

Michael Hegstad faces one count of burglary and one count of trafficking in stolen property, according to Martos.

Phoenix Police Sergeant Steve Martos said on August 26, officers working at the airport saw Hegstad taking boxes from the conveyor belt and removing the contents. As he was being questioned by police, Hegstad admitted to numerous other thefts, explaining he removed personal belongings from travelers' luggage as it moved through the conveyor system.

Martos said police are still investigating the time frame in which items had been taken from people's bags.

Currently, they are trying to inventory items, which included electronics, to figure out the dates on which they were taken.

Martos said many victims may be from other countries, so they are asking people not to call the police department with concerns until they are able to sort through the recovered merchandise.

Martos said the Property Crimes Unit working the Sky Harbor Airport theft has now established the number for potential victims to call regarding stolen property from their luggage.

The number potential victims should call is 602.495.7827.

Martos said police would like to make a few things clear to 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.

Police provided the included photos of some of the recovered property.