TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:43PM EDT

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The TSA reached a mind-boggling new low in customer service this week when it was revealed that one agent had single-handedly absconded with over $200,000 worth of travelers' belongings, primarily cameras and laptops, and proceeded to unload his booty on eBay. His latest haul: A near-$50,000 camera that an HBO employee had been traveling with.

The culprit is one Pythias Brown, a New Jersey resident who worked in the TSA department at Newark Liberty Airport. Finally busted, police discovered an inventory of 66 cameras, 31 laptops, assorted jewelry, and more when they searched his home. How'd he finally get caught? Brown snagged a camera belonging to CNN, and they found it for sale on eBay, where Brown had been converting the gear into cash.

Brown's been doing a great job of it too, with a near-perfect feedback rating on eBay.

Of note: Brown appears to have been taking items from checked luggage in the back rooms of the airport, not carry-ons. (One has to imagine you'd notice your $50,000 camera was missing after it came off the x-ray line.) But since consumers are no longer allowed to lock their luggage (or, at least, the TSA is allowed to break those locks as it sees fit), travelers have no real means of protection when it comes to guarding against inside job thievery like this.

What do you do if you need to get something expensive from point A to point B but can't carry it on the plane? Advance shipping through FedEx and the like seems like the only real solution: At least with shipping carriers you can insure the package against damage and theft. But sadly, your contract with the airlines absolves them of virtually all liability when things like this happen.

Another good reason to ship instead of check a bag? Given that airlines now charge up to a whopping $250 for a checked bag, it may now actually be cheaper to have FedEx pick up your stuff at your house and drop it at your destination. How's that for progress?

Comments on TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

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  • 46 Posted by prophecy1958 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is very unfortunate that this happened but we must realize that it could happen anywhere. I mean think of it, laptops are gone missing from every turn you make and from any business or school for that matter. The name calling from alot of you is truely uncalled for. I mean if it happen in your company, from someone close to "You" the tables would turn....Right?.....I thought so. So for all you "name calling" clowns out there. Lighten up on TSA, it was one individual and he is dealt with accordingly

  • 47 Posted by videoman530 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think we should just go back to private security, You know with no background screening!! That way anyone can work for airport security! Ya so a few idiots do some dumb things in tsa. What about those four WHITE soldiers (since his race is a issue here) raped a young afghan girl? Should we bad talk or get rid of our military? Get real! Why would anyone check anything of value anyway? Have you seen how the baggage handlers handle your things?

  • 48 Posted by videoman530 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Lets get rid of the military for the rape and killing of a young afghan girl!! Lets be real there are dishonest people in EVERY walk of life in EVERY job!! I would rather a TSA agent feel on me or steal from me then my plane run into a BULDING. And i know NONE of you have ever been touched by a TSA person of the oppiste sex at any major airport. And why check anything of value anyway? Have you seen how the 16 year old $7.50 a hour baggae handler treats your bag?

  • 49 Posted by wnchips on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    My rather nice bike pump 'disappeared' out of my bike box at Newark airport this fall, replaced by TSA tape and an inspection note. I was moving, not travelling, and the place I was moving to (Brussels) has few if any bike shops to buy a replacement (not to mention insane prices). Had to have a brand new one shipped from the States. I bet this fellow gets a little slap on the wrist, maybe even goes out and gets another job the next day. Whom do I sue?

  • 50 Posted by tameracrow on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    what an fricken idiot!!! would someone please smack that guy? Now us e0bay sellers are going to have a worse problem selling. Way to go duffis.

  • 51 Posted by gatemayr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is why we love journalists, The comment "some airlines charge up to $250 for a bag" is just a LITTLE SLANTED. It is true that the 250 fee could apply but check out the chart. It only would apply on United and then only if you had already checked 4 bags for 1 person. Thanks for keeping the faith and stretching the truth till it is about to break.

  • 52 Posted by crystihicks on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Good morning to the ungrateful traveling public....if you only knew.....

  • 53 Posted by banks2916 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    i was wondering what happend to my girlfriends underware. that prick stole my babes thongs , sold them on e-bay. iwant my money punk

  • 54 Posted by l_coss on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    In China they x-ray your luggage at check in. If they see a problem they call you over and YOU open your luggage right there for inspection. YOU show them what is inside. Relock your luggage and on your way. THIS WILL KEEP TSA OUT OF YOUR LUGGAGE and the way it needs to be done. The TSA in the USA is out of control.

  • 55 Posted by r_cardona68 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    OK. Let us not over react to this news. One person? Newark? There are lots of airports with decent honest TSA agents. Too bad internal measures by TSA did not detect this person before. But, remember, there have been other luggage thieves in the New York airport areas caught in prior cases of theft.

  • 56 Posted by barella27 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I also am employed by Tsa, but we do not have this problem in my city. It seems like all this happens on the east coast. Remember, the planes on 911 were taken on the east coast. In our baggage room, and all thru the airport, we have cameras that are mounted to watch everyone. We also do not feel every body up. We do the job we were trained for and i am very proud to work for TSA. We only cut the locks when there is no other way to get into the bag, We put your cut lock back into the bag along with a note explaining why your lock was cut. Next time try the Greyhound Bus Lines.

  • 57 Posted by crystihicks on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yeah, that's brilliant. YOU open your bag, and if it contains and IED or firearm, everybody dies. Brilliant idea!

  • 58 Posted by gorilla3238 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I (and numerous other highly qualified college graduates who initially hired on at TSA'S inception) left TSA because of what we perceived to be a very serious problem with upper management using affirmative action to promote unqualified idiots based on skin color over those who were 10 times more qualified for supervisory positions, not to mention nepotism, and "good ol boy" politics.. It looks like mismanagement at that agency still continues to this day. Pathetic...

  • 59 Posted by tarrant_01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Oh and about TSA prohibited locked luggage, it simply isn't true. You can take any lock whether it is a TSA lock or not, check it locked, and have the airlines call(if the screening location is out of sight) and let them know that they are sending down locked luggage and that you are waiting to see if they need the combo/key to open it. TSA is not allowed to cut locks for the heck of it. They have to atleast make an attempt to contact the passenger to open the luggage. This can be don't by TSA calling the airlines to page you to the counter. Cutting a lock is last resort, i.e. the plane is taking off in 15 minutes.

  • 60 Posted by markshapeton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Fortunately this CANNOT happen at Boston's Logan Airport. There are cameras at each and every checked bag search station.

  • 61 Posted by cidrni2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    What do you expect when TSA hires the dummbest, most obnoxious and discourteos people they can find ? The real uneducated dregs of society. Recentlly had one take away a smmall package of " Miracle Grow " .... said if mixed with diesel it could make a bomb. Like what airline is going to let anyone ship diesel fuel in the cargo hold ? ... what a moron ! Name like Pythias ..... lay you ten to one he was black.

  • 62 Posted by drcaz7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    We were waiting for a family member to arrive and had the opportunity to sit and watch the employee's take away the bottles that were over 3oz from the passengers. When the crowds thinned out we watched them take the items from the collection barrel and place them in their own bags. I guess they need more camera's on the workers than the passengers.

  • 63 Posted by hagar9818 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    TSA is a bunch of molesters, thiefs and ppl who are upset that they didnt get anywhere in life. I know its a steriotype but everytime I fly I have problems with them. I was part of a group of soldiers flying {in uniform} to Ft.Bliss,Tx out of St.Louis. TSA cut the locks off our duffel bags and stole my sleeping bag, coleman thermos {new in box} AND my girl scout cookies. Others in my group had uniforms, helmuts, DVD's stolen. They put the inspection tag in out bags and our cut locks. We where on our way to Iraq. Needless to say there where alot of soldiers questioning who we should be fighting.

  • 64 Posted by mcalemine on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been told many times NOT to lock my luggage. I'm not surprised that this happens. Next time you are in an airport take a close look at the TSA employees. These are people unlikely to get a job anywhere but the government. TSA actually focuses on less educated, socially maladjusted hires. It's really more of a welfare employment agency. No surprise a few criminals end up rummaging through passenger possessions.

  • 65 Posted by joemartin303 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    The TSA is a minimum wage job. Would you trust your valuables to someone making poor wages, especially in this economy, when he/she is protected by the airlines? This makes me sick.

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