Air France attendant held for robbing passengers
PARIS, July 20
French police have arrested an Air France stewardess on suspicion of stealing thousands of euros in cash, cards and jewellery as passengers slept on long haul flights, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Police investigating thefts over several months on flights between France and the Far East picked up the 47-year old attendant identified as Lucie R. after she landed from Tokyo on Friday, Le Figaro said.
"Her bank accounts showed an absurd gap between her lifestyle and her declared income," the newspaper quoted a police investigator as saying.
Police launched an investigation in January after about 4,000 euros' ($5,170) was stolen from five passengers. The robber took advantage of sleeping passengers, taking euros, yen, and Swiss francs as well as watches, jewels, credit cards and even cheque books.
READ MORE
Businessman denies supplying Sh209 million fake fertiliser
CS Murkomen names and shames owner of car in a viral video
Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO
Trader seeks orders to occupy Sh45m public property
vivo V30 5G launching in Kenya: Step into the future with style
Ndabibi land saga continues to suck in the high and mighty
Decades old controversy surrounding 5,000 acre Ndabibi land
Court denies farmers access to disputed Ndabibi land
According to the newspaper, the woman, who worked mainly in business class, began her spree in March 2009 to ease financial problems and has confessed to 26 thefts.
Since January, there have been about 140 thefts, the newspaper said. "The Japanese were ideal prey because they travel with lots of cash -- euros and yen -- instead of paying with credit cards," a police source said.
Police found travellers' cheques, blank cheques and bank card numbers at her home, the newspaper said.
(Reuters)