An American Airlines flight attendant faces grand larceny charges after being accused of stealing thousands in donations earmarked for needy and destitute children through a UNICEF Change for Good program.

According to the New York Daily News, Marco Costa, 56, was taken into custody on Saturday in Queens. A resident of Miami, Costa was entrusted with collecting donations left by passengers of various international flights. In all, investigators estimate Costa stole some at least $4,850 over two years beginning in January 2013.

Authorities Costa collected $2,900 worth of loose euros, $1,800 in British pounds and $150 in American currency.

The coins often weighted down the trunk of his 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. Police learned of Costa's alleged scheme in early October when Port Authority cops noticed the registration sticker on his vehicle was expired. While further inspecting the vehicle, they noticed it "appeared low to the ground" and called in bomb-sniffing dogs to check for possible explosives.

The car was later towed and impounded, and during that more expansive search investigators found the coins hidden in a black flight bag and several smaller ones bearing the UNICEF logo.

Costa admitted to at least some of the thefts but insists roughly 75 percent of all the money was legitimately his. He claimed he needed the extra money to pay off medical expenses.

During a recent court appearance earlier this month, Costa was released on his own recognizance.

"We hold our employees to the highest standards of integrity and do not tolerate theft," airline spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said.

Huguely wouldn't reveal if the company has moved to terminate Costa.

UNICEF is well-known for raising money for poor children all over the world. The "Change for Good" program has raised more than $100 million, much of which is used to improve sanitary conditions and provide clean water to children all over the world.

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