American Airlines flight attendant Marco Costa accused of stealing charity money

• Marco Costa bagged almost $5,500 (£3,500) in coins of all currencies
• American Airlines worker patrolled aisles at JFK International Airport
• Officials became suspicious when they noticed his car was 'sagging'

By John Hutchinson for MailOnline

Published: 07:24 EST, 5 February 2015 | Updated: 08:16 EST, 5 February 2015

Marco Costa has been arrested after almost $5,500 (£3,500) in different currency was found in his car boot after being given as charity donations

An American Airlines flight attendant has been arrested after almost $5,500 (£3,500) in coins of different currencies collected for charity were found in his car at JFK International Airport, New York.

A Port Authority police spokesman said Wednesday 56-year-old Marco Costa was arrested on January 31 on possession of stolen property and other charges.

Spokesman Joe Pentangelo says the Miami, Florida, man collected $2,900 (£2,000) in Euros, $1,800 (£1,200) in British pounds and $150 (£100) in US coins from passengers as part of a charitable partnership with the United Nations children's agency UNICEF.

It is alleged he would walk down the aisles when passengers were queuing and ask for donations before emptying into a parked vehicle.

Bags holding the money in a car sagging low to the ground were found in October.

A spokeswoman says the airline is working with investigators. UNICEF says it values its 20-year partnership with American Airlines.

American Airlines works with UNICEF to appeal to passengers to donate loose change which is often no longer needed when returning home.

Since 1994, the US airline has been involved in UNICEF’s global Change for Good program, which aims to prevent child deaths throughout the world.

Passengers can also choose to donate in the airport lounges, as well as drop loose change into walk-up boxes.

Today, more than 16,000 lives are saved each day compared to 1990.

Costa was said to patrol airport queues at JFK asking for charity donations which he would then take to his car and dump in the boot

American Airlines has worked with UNICEF for over 20 years helping raise money to save children's lives throughout the world

The Change for Good program has raised more than $130 million (£200 million) which has gone towards improving sanitation and providing clean water for millions of children throughout the world.

MailOnline Travel have contacted American Airlines for further comments.