Baggage handler 'sprung stealing mail'
A Qantas baggage handler will face court after Federal Police swooped on his Brisbane home in a dawn raid.
The father is accused of stealing hundreds of pieces of mail targeting credit cards, gift vouchers and money orders.
It was a shock wake-up call at a family home in Brisbane's north early Wednesday morning as Australian Federal Police raided the house leaving neighbours stunned.
"It's a pretty low-key little outfit around here.people tend to keep to themselves," AFP Airport Commander Sharon Cowden said.
"It's a nice quiet area obviously and it's quite shocking to see them here that's for sure."
Officers from the joint airport investigation team seized evidence and arrested father of two, Dale Rogers.
The Qantas baggage handler is accused of stealing at least 380 Australia Post items while he was shifting cargo at Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal.
Most of the stolen pieces were envelopes containing gift cards and money orders posted from across Australia, which 40-year-old Rogers allegedly pinched and spent or converted into cash.
"Gifts for Christmas, birthdays, some Visa cards, banking documents, personal cheques - those sorts of things," Sharon Cowden said.
"All of the charges carry a 10 year maximum jail sentence."
Rogers was granted bail at the Brisbane Watchhouse - he's facing 10 charges, including mail theft.
The baggage handler has been allegedly stealing items for at least six months. Qantas today refused a request from Seven News for an interview.
In a statement a spokesperson for Qantas said the company was "aware of the charges laid against our employee and he has been stood down until further notice..."
"If customers have been expecting mail and haven't received it I would advise them to contact Australia Post," Sharon Cowden said.
Rogers will face court next month.
