Having a much-loved item go missing from their baggage is something many travelers dread . So the news that dozens of baggage handlers working for the major Italian airline Alitalia have been arrested over alleged theft from passengers ' luggage may confirm their worst fears . Border police made 49 arrests at Rome 's Fiumicino airport , with another 37 in major Italian airports including Bari , Bologna , Milan Linate , Naples , Palermo and Verona , the Italian National Police said in a statement Friday . The 18-month-long investigation began after people reported that objects were stolen from their luggage at the airport of Lamezia Terme , police said . The alleged thefts took place on board the aircraft during the loading and unloading of baggage , police said . The investigation involved putting recording devices in the hold to identify those responsible . Alitalia security personnel also played a role in tracking down the alleged thieves , the statement said . All those arrested were Alitalia employees , whose activities were caught on camera , it said . If convicted , they could be sentenced to up to six years in prison . The accused have been charged with criminal offenses including theft , aggravated theft and damage , since the luggage that they were not able to open was sometimes damaged out of spite , police said .
Bologna border police arrest dozens suspects at Naples 's Fiumicino airport . Another 37 are arrested at airports across Italy , including Italian , Naples and Milan . All those accused are baggage handlers working for Italian airline Alitalia , police say . The alleged thefts took place during the loading and unloading of baggage , police say .