Airline employee Sean Crudup charged with luggage theft after Asiana Airlines crash

A UNITED Airlines employee has been charged with the alleged theft of luggage following the Asiana Airlines crash earlier this month.

The crash of Flight 214 at San Francisco Airport, which killed three people, forced the closure of a runway for one week and led to lengthy flight delays and diversions.

Some passengers were on a diverted flight but their luggage still ended up at San Francisco Airport.

Sean Crudup, 44, a customer services rep, and his girlfriend Raychas Thomas, 32, were allegedly seen on surveillance footage stealing bags, along with another unidentified woman, according to the report.

"It was a crime of opportunity and the opportunity was there," Sgt. Wesley Matsuura, from the San Mateo Sheriff's Department, told KTVU.com.

It's estimated the bags contained about $30,000 worth of clothing items, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Thomas allegedly took the clothes to a nearby shop and received $5000.

Passengers were shocked to find their luggage missing when they finally arrived at the airport.

The pair have been released on bail. Crudup has pleaded not guilty, while Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned on August 26 and has yet to file a plea.