Denver police arrest suspect after string of baggage thefts at DIA

DENVER – Denver police have made an arrest in connection with a series of baggage thefts at Denver International Airport.

On June 1, Patricia Swanson arrived at baggage carousel 18 at the DIA and discovered that one of her bags was missing. Days later, a Denver PD officer left her a voicemail telling her that her bag had been stolen.

“It was stolen by a known luggage thief we reported a few days earlier,” the detective said in the voicemail.

Denver7 Investigates has obtained the arrest affidavit of Keith Moore, who is accused of stealing eight pieces of luggage at the airport in just a few hours on May 24. He is “also suspected of stealing additional pieces of luggage,” the affidavit states.

Moore was arrested at the airport on May 24, but after his release, he returned to the airport on June 1 and took Swanson’s bag with him, according to Denver police.

Denver7 reported on the problem of baggage theft last year after another passenger, Djenita Svinjar, received a video of two women stealing her luggage.

“The bigger problem for me is that this probably happens every day,” Svinjar said.

Stolen bags are a constant issue at DIA. According to Denver Police, 111 bags were stolen from the airport this year through June 1. In 2023, 298 bags were stolen, compared to 324 in 2022 and 239 in 2021.

A Denver International Airport spokesperson declined to comment on the security concerns, but said in a statement to Denver7 Investigates that Denver Police “take several steps to prevent and minimize baggage/pickpocketing incidents at DEN.”

Denver police arrested Moore again Monday night on charges of theft in connection with Swanson’s stolen luggage. Meanwhile, that suitcase was discovered in the airport’s lost and found office on Monday.

“Apparently the thief threw it away without most of the contents,” said Swanson, who has already left Colorado.

Denver7 investigators contacted United Airlines, who put the bag on the next flight to Swanson’s hometown.

“If you were instrumental in getting the bag onto a plane today, we appreciate it,” Swanson said. “But I just want to point out that a lot of people experience this at DIA. So there needs to be a better security system. And they need to be held accountable for this.”

A Denver Police spokesman said they “encourage visitors to DEN to watch their bags and notify police if they witness a possible crime.”

Denver7