Homeless Man Stole Luggage From Fort Lauderdale Airport Baggage Carousels

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A homeless man has been arrested for allegedly stealing luggage from the baggage carousels at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Langston Carlos Austin, 33, originally from Buffalo, N.Y., was arrested Friday while carrying two suitcases and a stroller through the airport, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with three counts of grand theft, and was being held without bail, sheriff's office spokeswoman Liz Calzadilla-Fiallo said.

Deputies said Austin took at least 10 bags, beginning July 28, from baggage carousels in Terminal One, removed the identification tags and went through the contents. The empty bags were later found in bathrooms and stairwells in Terminal Two.

Calzadilla-Fiallo said the estimated value of the stolen items was not known. Deputies said Austin sold the items he took from the bags.

According to the sheriff's office, Austin's criminal history included charges of cocaine possession and armed robbery in Florida and larceny, burglary and drug possession in New York.

It was not known if Austin had an attorney.

A message left for an airport spokesman early Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press