The United Airlines employee later confessed and turned the jewelry over to police

A United Airlines customer service employee at Denver International Airport allegedly stole a cosmetics case that contained nearly $129,000 worth of jewelry, according to the Denver district attorney’s office.

Rafael Magana has been charged with one count of felony theft.

The cosmetics case, which had been misplaced by its owner and placed on a cart for pickup as passengers deplaned, contained several pieces of jewelry, including $35,000 pair of diamond earrings and a “pearl encrusted bracelet” also valued at $35,000, reports ABC News.

Video from the airport’s security system allegedly shows Magana taking the case, wrapping in in a piece of printer paper, and then putting it in a paper bag. Police questioned and arrested Magana a few days later; he agreed to turn the jewelry, which was at his apartment, over to police, ABC reports.

In a statement, United Airlines said, “We hold our employees to the highest standards and have zero tolerance for theft. We are cooperating with the Denver Police Department in this matter and have removed the employee from his duties.”

(Photo by Thinkstock)

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