Baggage handlers across Italy arrested for theft

ROME, May 3 (UPI) -- Italian police said they have arrested 29 airport baggage handlers around the country, including 19 at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, for alleged baggage theft.

The suspects at Fiumicino all were employed by Alitalia Airlines.

Another 57 people were placed under investigation, 30 at Fiumicino, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Friday.

The actions are part of a police operation called "Clean Holds," targeted at Calabria's Lamezia Terme airport and airports in Rome, Bari, Bologna, Milan, Palermo and Verona, the news agency said.

Police at Lamerzia Terme said they have spent more than a year investigating at least 100 thefts or attempted thefts, as well as baggage damage.