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The Phoenix woman who stole more than 1,000 pieces of luggage from Sky Harbor Airport last year was in court this morning, where she was sentenced to prison time and probation for the thefts.
Maricopa Superior Court Judge Paul McMurdie sentenced 39-year-old Stacy King to three-and-a-half years in prison and five years probation for her role in the thefts. She was also ordered to pay $86,614 in restitution.
McMurdie cited the large number of victims in his decision to sentence King to prison time rather than probation. Check out some video of the sentencing here.
In June, King admitted to two counts of theft, trafficking in stolen property, and a dangerous drug violation in Maricopa County Superior Court.
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King and her husband, Keith King, were arrested last November after police at the airport watched the two steal luggage on several occasions.
Police initially arrested Keith King last October after watching him take luggage from the baggage-claim area. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for theft and released. A few days later, he was at it again. Surveillance video showed King in a parking garage before he went into the airport to steal more bags.
Police then got a search warrant for the King’s house near 175th and Northern avenues, where they hit the mother lode.
They found more than 1,000 pieces of luggage stacked from floor to ceiling of the Kings’ house. Police say a lot of the bags were open and had stuff missing that they think was sold at garage sales.
Keith King faces 44 counts, including charges for theft, burglary, and drugs possession.
