brace United Airlines employees were questioned in July about a series of thefts of fire-arms from luggage checked through the airline at O'Hare Airport -- and no as it was thefts have been reported since then.

brace United Airlines employees were questioned in July about a series of thefts of fire-arms from luggage checked through the airline at O'Hare Airport -- and no as it was thefts have been reported since then, a Chicago Police commander said Thursday.

No charges have been brought against the employee who were suspected of stealing up to 10 fire-arms -- including an M-4 assault carbine -- since Jan. 2 said Michael Patton, police commander at O'Hare.

"We've talked to United, and they tightened up their security," Patton said.

The victims include a Chicago Police officer, a soldier deploying overseas and a sailor.

Patton said he was not aware of fire-arms being reported stolen from luggage checked from one side other airlines at O'Hare or Midway.

5 base IN STORAGE AREA

Among the victims was a 25-year-old Army soldier from Schererville, Ind. He was flying from Chicago to Denver forward Jan. 2 before being opened overseas, Patton said. The soldier checked a .45-caliber Para-Ordnance semiautomatic handgun in his luggage. The weapon was missing when the plane landed and has not been regained Patton said.

Seven fire-arm owners have reported a total of 10 firearms stolen from luggage checked in to United Airlines at O'Hare this year -- moreover five of the guns were later construct in the airline's baggage storage area, Patton said.

About a dozen fire-arms a day are checked in luggage from one side United at O'Hare, officials say.

fire-arm owners must fill out a declaration form at the contrariwise A gun is placed in a enclosureed sealed box, and ammunition is placed in a separate driver's seat Patton said. The boxes are packed into luggage.

The fire-arms were reported stolen between Jan. 2 and July 7 Patton said.

NO ARRESTS 'SO FAR'

Among other missing weapons are a .45-caliber pistol holded by a 21-year-old Waukegan area man traveling Jan. 7; sum of two units .45-caliber Glock pistols owned through a 38-year-old Chicago Police officer going to Louisville, Ky onward May 19, and a .38-caliber handgun acknowledgeed by a 56- year-old Chicago man traveling to of the present day Orleans on July 7, Patton said.

The five weapons initially reported stolen nevertheless later recovered include a .45-caliber Ruger handgun haveed by a 23-year-old sailor; a .45-caliber handgun be in possession ofed by the Colorado man whose M-4 assault weapon also was institute and two .40-caliber Glock pistols concedeed by a 46-year-old Chicago woman.

"We have brought sum of two units suspects in from United Airlines, on the other hand no arrests have been made likewise far," Patton said. "Since the interviews onward July 27, there have been no thefts."

A spokeswoman for United did not revert a call seeking comment.

fmain@suntimes.com

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