Three airline workers arrested for firearm theft

MAUI, HI. (KHON) — On Thursday, October 6, detectives and officers from the Maui Police Department, along with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; arrested three Hawaiian Airlines employees in connection with several theft investigations.

In August of 2016, Hawaiian Airlines Corporate Security investigators reported to Maui police suspected employee theft involving their ramp agents and checked baggage belonging to passengers.

Specific were two incidents involving Hawaiian Airlines flights: The first occurred on June 24, 2016 when a lawfully declared firearm was reported stolen from checked baggage while en route from Los Angeles, California to Hilo with a layover in Kahului.

The second occurred on July 28, 2016 when another lawfully declared firearm was reported stolen from checked baggage while traveling from Kahului to San Jose, California. Both incidents were documented with Hawaiian Airlines as well as the Maui Police Department.

As a result, the three airline employees: a 28-year-old Wailuku man, a 29-year-old, also from Wailuku; and a 52-year-old Kihei man. All three were employed by Hawaiian Airlines for nearly 10 years.

They have been released pending further investigation.

Hawaiian Airlines says the employees have been put on leave without pay.