Catering Employees, Others Accused Of Stealing More Than 100,000 Individual Mini-Bottles

After a nine-month investigation, authorities have arrested 18 people in New York, NY, for allegedly stealing more than 100,000 mini-bottles of alcohol from LSG Sky Chefs at JFK Airport. The company caters flights for American Airlines. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General had dubbed the investigation "Operation Last Call."

Those arrested included three security guards hired by private contractors, who allegedly took bribes to look the other way when the thefts occurred. They were also accused of receiving stolen property. Most of those arrested were affiliated in some way with LSG.

CNN reports that the 15 current and former employees of the caterer stole bottles that were left over at the end of American flights and sold them to local liquor stores and other establishments known as bodegas. They reportedly netted about $750,000 for their efforts.

A retired LSG Sky Chefs employee was apparently the center of the investigation, and the leader of the theft ring. When police conducted an early-morning raid at the home of Domingo Duran, they found over 50,000 of the individual alcohol bottles and $34,000 in cash.

An anonymous tip in November, 2011 led to the investigation. If convicted, each of those arrested and charged faces seven to 15 years in prison.

FMI: www.panynj.gov