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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  • 6 Posted by praizalways on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    MORE PROOF that this anything goes business agenda is killing this country. Every deregulation effort is destroyed by greed from top to bottom, and this homeland security system is useless. New leaders who put American people instead of multi-national corporation payoffs first are needed.

  • 7 Posted by n240sxse on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    What a Shame. He should be prosecuted and put behind bar and also, his bank account should be ceased. This goes to show how broken the system is, top to bottom.

  • 8 Posted by eighty_miles@ymail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had an iPod stolen from my luggage before, but that was no problem because the airline refunded it. It was right at the $250 mark where you didn't even need to send them a receipt for the item. Took them a while to process, but, in the end, by the time I got the money, the new version had come out, so it was like a free upgrade for me. Also, I wonder if they are going to make all the people who bought this stuff on eBay give it back?

  • 9 Posted by ginnij_mt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    so, if it's the TSA stealing items from luggage, why do you guys expect the AIRLINES to pay for it? These are federal employees, federal laws, yet the passenger expects a private company to reimburse them.

  • 10 Posted by duplicationservicesfrontdesk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    How did they screen theses low life for these jobs ? Every time i fly why do i always have to get the extra screening ? Because the T.S.A. are Pervs ! When i fly i always need to be in business atire because of my job and i always get singeled out buy that one perv who also wants to feel on me... Why i'm a latina with a latin last name or is because of the booty, then to top it off they hit and you while there doing this special screening !!! Thank T.S.A for letting me know you need a high school diplomia for this jon as well as a sick mind !!!!

  • 11 Posted by byteman1950 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    The statement in this article "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." is incorrect. You can secure your luggage with TSA approved locks that only you and they have access to. So if you didn't steal it, it must be them.

  • 12 Posted by mans452001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is known they will some in airline specifically somewhere in usa or other country itself $200,000 for traveler very waste. who owe pay $200,000 for FedEx had skyrocketed and shipping only 20lb between 60lb both so beat for prices had problem by a lots so very well

  • 13 Posted by jirojas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    You gotta be pretty stupid to put anything valuable on the hands of a stranger. Ship it!

  • 14 Posted by cnull on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    byteman1950 - Yes, you can use the TSA locks, but since TSA did the stealing what would be the point? What I meant by that is that you are not allowed to use a REAL lock to secure your luggage...

  • 15 Posted by cmui1978 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Airport security is a joke. It is another good reason to stay away from air travelling as much as possible. The TSA staff will do anything for money. How do you know some guy like this one will not put a bomb onto someone lugguage for money. With such low quality TSA, the security is just worse for having them.

  • 16 Posted by deltanycjfk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    Guyz and Galz the airlines are safe and security is always good. But if we have employees who are authorized to open luggage what is an airline to do? The worst part is that these authorized employees (TSA) are FEDERAL!!!!.. I agree with you all that it should be locked..

  • 17 Posted by tangel00 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    The comment posted by flipicaneze0927 is so true...they get their feel on women and now they are stealing from us, too. There should be some way around this type of harrassment and theft. The people who work as TSA are rude and very crude. The airlines need to find a better way around this problem and the outrageous charges they have subjected us, too.

  • 18 Posted by duffeysgirlie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yeah I learned the hard way my husband brought me a brand new digital video camera for Christmas last year I had it maybe two months when I decided to take it to Atlanta with me well it never made it to Atlanta it was stolen some where between Miami and Atlanta, Still have not had the money to replace it. And would you think that Airlines should have to carry insurance they should be made to or everyone should have to be bonded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 19 Posted by jjs.racing on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    F'n Retards, Look at most of them, They look like child touchers or ex cons. These douche bags are hired by douchebags. They are the most laxed people running security in out airports and handling our possesions. I know I work hard for my things, Sucks that these d'bags are stealing from the people they are hired to protect.... I'd love to kick half of their asses. The other half seem to want to work for the right reasons.

  • 20 Posted by damusicbeing on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    let tsa do there job... you guys are on the plane safe.. right?? or should we have another 9/11??? do any of you guys remember that?? granted... stealing is totally unacceptable being that tsa has authorization to the bags....

  • 21 Posted by spencer_chk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have you all seen many of these TSA people? I can't believe the travellers have to trust these incompetent "so called" workers. Most of the time, they are busy chatting with each other (laughing and joking) while we are patiently getting screened. I don't think many of them care about their jobs. They all need service training, again. And, please...try to smile a little.

  • 22 Posted by psteve25304 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    On my return trip I always pack my nasty, dirty clothes right on top so those luggage Nazis can get a nice ripe nose-full of my backside when they venture into my bags. People like that should be beat about the face and ears until something starts to bleed.

  • 23 Posted by johnnysucks_310 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I work 4 TSA and let me tell u we have alot of good people working for TSA. But we have more A* holes like this piece of turd also working there. All it takes is 1 bad person to make the rest look bad.I know we have alot of ridiculous rules. TSA employees know that but we have to enforce them. We gotta make a living too. I hope this jerk gets what he deserves. and sorry for taking your lotion.

  • 24 Posted by tshark44 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    please note these people-TSA, are contracted by the airports, they do not work for the airlines,,, now if you suspect something missing thru baggage handling loading and unloading -,most of those people work for their airlines. And anything of real valuable- should be carried on,within reasons...

  • 25 Posted by rockford33usa on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Even then, you need to be careful because people will get into the overheads and take things when you get up to go to the bathroom." And where are they going to fence them during the flight, Einstein? You're a paranoid idiot. Nobody wants your dirty underwear.

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