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Oxygen canister from airplane stowaway theft

The green-painted oxygen canister was gathered as crime evidence along with multiple items including objects now in the museum's collection: a pair of lined boots (2013.2011.26.1-.2) and mailbag (2013.2011.27). The stowaway planned his crime carefully for the flight. Although the cargo hold of the aircraft was pressurized, the criminal took no chances and carried this oxygen tank with him just in case. The stowaway also wore lined boots and used several blankets to keep warm at the high altitude. While en route from Los Angeles to Atlanta on May 14, 1980, a stowaway opened the trunk in which he was hiding and began to search through the bags of registered mail. The treasure in the registered pouches included gold bullion, jewelry, rare coins, narcotics, and classified military documents. The stowaway loaded these among 210 pieces of mail, valued at more than $350,000, into four empty luggage cases checked into the Eastern Airlines flight 82 by his two accomplices. Upon being apprehended in Atlanta after ramp crew saw the stowaway, law enforcement also arrested the two accomplices at baggage claim.

Date

May 14, 1980

Type

Crime Evidence

Medium

metal

Department

NPM

Institution

National Postal Museum

Object number

npm_2013.2011.28

Credit

Transfer from the United States Postal Inspection Service