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

Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:43PM EDT

See Comments (205)

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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  • 66 Posted by captmarvel_13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    The paranoia of Bush & Co. led to the creation of this monster called TSA under Homeland Security. Yes, it's better (in the sense that you can get reimbursed in case of loss or damage to you property) to ship it thru courier companies like DHL & FedEx. Checked luggage? What's our defense against those thieves in the TSA?

  • 67 Posted by steve_lyle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    When I fly overseas,Security know that I'm a Westerner and greet me warmly and politey. I lock my baggage, and not strip searched. A bad guy/girl are obvious by trained professionals and muslims are searched, since they have NO REGARD for human life. I don't fly in USA and perfectly safe flying foreign airlines. SEARCH those muslims.

  • 68 Posted by cslugdog on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    The bottom line is: There are bad seeds in every business. Some of them were in charge at Enron, and some of them handle your luggage. This isn't a race or an education thing, and it certainly doesn't apply to everyone that works for TSA. We just need to deal with the fact that there are people out there with only their own interests at hand.

  • 69 Posted by rasconl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    It is just impossible to believe that inteligent well educated individuals can't find solutions to easy to solve problems..... Or, do they want to?.

  • 70 Posted by justifeforall on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    TSA does a lot of good security work. It's just that good news doesn't sell. There's always one bad apple - you know the saying....

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

    I use TSA approved locks on my checked in luggage - AND they have cut those locks every time!! Is that TSA ???... or airport employees???... or airline employees??? Of course, they do not only cut through the lock - they cut off the zipper fastner(!) so the luggage can never be used again! Morons!

  • 72 Posted by bongtrang@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    TSA is doing very good job. I lost something ,but didn't know when . Now, I knew from TSA employee.

  • 73 Posted by paul_davila on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why should I pay for FedEx when I am already am paying and have the right to have my luggage fly with me. The only ones that trust TSA are there supervisors and Airlines. If a TSA agent inspects your bag they should put a tie down string with there officer number in case something is missing. Theres no control on what they do. We are supposed to trust them because there supervisors and ailines trust them. One thing os them providing us wuth security another is some kind of control of what and how they do there job.

  • 74 Posted by freebies4us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Obviously the TSA are not monitoring their agents activity. Theft always results sooner or later when, people are left alone with valuables or money. The airlines are not at fault or responsible for the luggage once the TSA gets involved. Hopefully this will change the methods used by the TSA to not only secure our luggage, but monitor their agents. Just a thought...

  • 75 Posted by classactwanted on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had a mobile broadband card stolen or lost from my luggage by the TSA. There was even an inspection card inside my bag stating that TSA had searched it. Filed a claim with TSA for the $350 card. The TSA supervisor at the Phoenix Airport told me they had been having problems but still the TSA's office in Washington denied my claim. The only recourse after their denial was to hire an attorney & take it to the Supreme Court. I couldn't believe it!

  • 76 Posted by msquianna07 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a former TSA agent and far as many of you saying that tsa does a bad job maybe true to some degree i agree. But all agents are not like this dude who rip off an customers bag. I agree that jackass should be prosecuted to the highest degree.Because, its already hard for tsa to get good rep for all of the things that we do that are good that isnt not seen by the public,and also he is making every good officer and all that they do to protect passengers look bad.And I agree depending on your own personal experience sometimes your experience it will look as if tsa is doing a terrible job ...its probably because they are.

  • 77 Posted by youcan_write2me on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think they should adopt some Vegas-style security where cameras or the "eye-in-the-sky" is not only on passengers but in the back rooms where the TSA agents are checking out our luggage and if the 3rd party security behind the scenes sees an agent stealing our stuff, to take them to a back-back-back room and beat them to a bloody pulp. OK, a tad too violent so just have them arrested, tried and their photos plastered in public for the world to see how much of a jerk they are so they'll face public shame.

  • 78 Posted by hymanbreaker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    This should come as no surprise as the government is the employer of last resort! These illiterate thugs are the only ones that will take the job for 8.00 per hour. US airlines are in serious trouble and they do not need more government rules to further hamper business. About five years ago I boarded a flight from California and they snatched my 150.00 cigar lighter! This was long before any rules were in place to prohibit lighters. It went directly into the pocket of one the crumbs and cretins employed by the TSA ! I never have these problems on flights originating in other countries!

  • 79 Posted by viomon2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Based on my observations as an airline employee I have to say that the TSA is a terrible waste of tax payer money. I have been in the industry for eight years and it seems the TSA are no better than the retirees who used to staff our security checkpoints. The TSA just gets more money and fancier uniforms. Also now they say I am required to refer to them as TSA Officers. This coming from a group of people who stole $200.00 from an old ladies purse seems ridiculous.

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

    The TSA has been a JOKE since day one and this does nothing to change that perception. I travel extensively, the ONLY things you should put in a checked bag are things you DO NOT WANT.

  • 81 Posted by sqjaw@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wonder How Many Other TSA agents have had Light Finger on the stuff from Planes: They have Enough Dam Security its the People they hire are the Problem :

  • 82 Posted by madieb123 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    My daughters and I took a vacation to the East Coast. After returning, I realized employees from TSA had removed articles from my checked luggage including prescribed medication. After reporting this to the Airline, I was told there was nothing that could be done because TSA is a contracted service. As a single parent traveling, I felt violated when this should have been a secure environment!

  • 83 Posted by lkncondos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ever been to the airport lately? Notice that all of TSA are those affirmitive action hires. Why the heck would I trust some dumb monkey to keep me safe in the shy?

  • 84 Posted by mmarvella on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    In 2004 My parents' wedding picture went missing after it was in my luggage I shipped thru on the way to Tampa. I was giving it to my brother since our mom had died that Feb. Am still waiting to hear from TSA as to where it is??? Only fly with a carry on since then. By the way it was the only picture of their wedding we had.

  • 85 Posted by classylady271979 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Everyone is so fast to pass judgement on other people, I'm a TSA employee and I don't think my job is a joke. I go to work 5 days a week to save lives and to make sure we don't have another tragic day like 9-11. Because that guy was a thief and was getting away with it doesn't mean everybody that works for TSA are thieves. I take my job very seriously and it makes me very upset when people think what we do is nothing. Nobody ever talk about the good that TSA employees do, just the negative things like this. If u don't think TSA does a good job go catch the darn greyhound bus.

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