American Airlines plane cleaner charged with theft

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines says it has fired a worker who is charged with stealing thousands of dollars of items left on the planes that he was employed to clean at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

An airport police report says officers found what they believe are passengers’ lost belongings, including a cell phone, cameras and sunglasses, at Henry Ibarra’s Fort Worth home.

Police traced the cell phone to his home in July after a passenger reported it missing.

Fort Worth-based American said Thursday that the 59-year-old’s employment has been terminated.

Airport spokesman David Magana says authorities have so far estimated the value of half the recovered items at $7,500.