American nabbed for stealing luggage of Korean students at Clark airport

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—- An American was arrested for stealing the luggage of two Korean students who arrived at the Clark International Airport on Dec. 27.

Footage from airport security cameras show the luggage being taken from the airport’s baggage carousel by a bearded Caucasian, later identified as Julio Cesar Sanchez, 35, who arrived aboard an Asiana Airlines flight from Incheon, South Korea on December 24.

Jo Seungcheol, 28, and Cha Gunmin, 14, students of SMEAG Global School Inc., alerted their airline and the Passenger Assistance Desk of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) about their missing luggage when they flew in on the same day from Incheon in a JinAir airplane, said Jaime Alberto Melo, CIAC president.

The security footage recorded the plate number of the vehicle used by Sanchez, enabling the police to locate him in a hotel in Angeles City where the American was arrested.

A CIAC statement said Sanchez admitted taking the luggage because he “disliked Koreans.” It was not immediately clear if he knew the Korean students or if he had recognized their luggage.

Sanchez is now detained at the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Office in Angeles City. /muf