Wednesday, 15 June 2011 15:01
Spanish Man Robs Travelers by Hiding in a Suitcase
I've heard a number of stories about interesting items found in suitcases, but never a 5' 10" man! According to the Associated Press, a man was caught curled up in a suitcase in an airport bus cargo bay. He and his accomplice were both arrested after a number of passengers reported items mysteriously disappeared during previous trips along the same route.
How the Theft Worked
According to the police, the accomplice would get on a bus departing from the airport and heading to the city of Girona, with a suitcase containing the 5'10" man who was then checked in to the cargo bay of the bus. Once the bus departed, the man would unpack himself and gather items from other suitcases, before re-packing himself prior to the 100 kilometer trip's conclusion. The accomplice would then pick up his suitcase and take off with the man and the goods.
Luggage Travel Tips
As a traveler, there are certain precautions that you should take whenever traveling. First and foremost, any item of value should be with you at all time. My thinking is that if someone wants to get into your back to steal something, there really isn't much you can do. That said, there are a few things you could do to hopefully deter thieves.
Airplane Luggage Travel Tips
For airplane travel, many people recommend that you use a lock. It's likely that a lock will deter a thief with a limited window of opportunity. That said, most thieves just rip through the zipper. Also, many passengers report that locks get snipped at the airport when security staff decide to investigate the contents your bag. If you use a lock, the best option is a TSA approved lock. TSA authorities have a master key, so they can get into your luggage without breaking the lock.
Bus and Train Luggage Travel Tips
For bus and train travel, one recommendation is to tie a large plastic tie or a belt with a lock around your luggage. This helps in that the thief won't be able to fully open your bag through the zipper. If you have multiple bags, consider tying them together. This reduces the likelihood that someone will run off with your bag. For those traveling with backpacks, you might also want to consider a stainless steel mesh backpack cover. Pacsafe has a number of great products.
The bottom line is that theft of luggage items will never go away. For piece of mind, make sure all of your valuables are with you and in sight. For items out of sight, if you make a conscious effort to make it more difficult, there's a good chance your luggage will be bypassed in favor of the unprotected bag beside yours.
