By Ivan Pereira
Two John F. Kennedy International Airport baggage handlers are facing robbery charges after they allegedly tried to steal more than a quarter of a million dollars in diamonds that were bound for the West Coast, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Angelo Riviello, 38, of 160-40 13th Ave. in Whitestone, and Albert Acevedo, 47, of Brooklyn, were arraigned Aug. 30 on grand larceny and criminal possession charges, Brown said.
The two men, who worked as baggage handlers for American Airlines, allegedly took more than 900 items from the luggage of a Los Angeles jewelry dealer and kept them in their homes, Brown said.
“When air travelers check their luggage with an airline, there is an implicit trust that their bags and their contents will meet them at their destination,” Brown said in a statement.
The alleged theft took place at the American Airlines terminal Aug. 25, when Riviello allegedly picked up a large bag that was being transported to American Airlines Flight 201 and threw it into a cart, Brown said.
The Whitestone man allegedly felt the bag and said, “I think I have a good find,” the DA said.
Acevedo, his supervisor, then came over, examined the bag, unzipped it, allegedly removed an envelope containing diamond rings and placed several smaller envelopes in his pocket, Brown said.
He then showed off three rings to a co-worker and said, “I made a good find today. These rings add up to $1,000,” Brown said.
The owner of the baggage, jeweler David Diamond, discovered that 925 diamonds worth $280,000, were stolen after he landed in Los Angeles and reported it to Port Authority police, according to the DA.
On Aug. 29, Port Authority police took Riviello and Acevedo into custody, the DA said.
“These baggage handlers are now learning the hard way that criminals at our airports will be thoroughly investigated, arrested and fully prosecuted, without exception,” Port Authority Police Superintendent Samuel J. Plumeri Jr. said.
Riviello admitted he had received five pieces of jewelry from his supervisor and that they were on top of his home microwave, according to the DA.
Acevedo confessed to taking two or three rings and 20 earrings and keeping them in his bathroom, Brown said.
Queens Criminal Court Judge Ira Margulis set $10,000 bail for Riviello and $50,000 bail for Acevedo, Brown said. Both men were ordered back to court Sept. 30 and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, according to the DA.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
