Bay Area Couple Accused Of Stealing Luggage Following Asiana Crash

REDWOOD CITY (KCBS) – San Mateo County prosecutors have charged a United Airlines employee and his wife with grand theft and burglary, accusing them of stealing the luggage of passengers who were supposed to fly into San Francisco International Airport, but were diverted following the Asiana Airlines crash.

Numerous flights were diverted following the crash on July 6, but some of the bags from those diverted flights still made it to SFO.

San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti said 44-year-old Sean Sharif Crudup of Richmond, a United customer service representative, stole the bags of at least one passenger.

"The surveillance tape showed Mr. Crudup stealing the bags and then handing them off to his co-defendant, Ms. Thomas, who is his wife, and another woman," she said.

Guidotti said the luggage contained some valuable items.

"There was quite a bit of high-end clothing in the luggage and Ms. Thomas returned it to a Nordstrom's in Pleasanton and got cash in exchange," Guidotti said.

According to the complaint, 32-year-old Raychas Thomas received about $5,000 when she returned the clothing at the Stoneridge Mall.

Thomas was arrested as she was set to board a flight to Hawaii and Guidotti said more property from the victims was found at the couple's home.

The couple is facing a maximum five years in prison if convicted of all charges.

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