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ABC News Tracks Stolen iPad to TSA Officer's Home [Video]

ABC News Tracks Stolen iPad to TSA Officer's Home [Video]

Posted September 28, 2012 at 6:29am by
ABC News left 10 iPads at TSA checkpoints with a history of stealing traveler's belongings to see what would happen. One of those iPad's ended up at the home of Andy Ramirez, a TSA officer.

In the ABC News investigation, TSA officers at nine of the ten airport checkpoints followed agency guidelines and immediately contacted the owner, whose name and phone number were displayed prominently on the iPad case.


But in Orlando, the iPad was not immediately returned and two hours later its tracking application showed the device as it moved away from the airport to the home of the TSA officer. After waiting 15 days, ABC News went to the home and asked Ramirez to return the iPad. He denied knowing anything about the missing iPad and said any items left behind at security checkpoints are taken to lost and found.


To prove he was in possession of the device, ABC News activated an audio alarm on the iPad. After taking off his TSA uniform shirt, the officer returned the iPad. He then claimed his wife took it from the airport.

"I'm so embarrassed," he told ABC News. "My wife says she got the iPad and brought it home," he said.

When shown video of himself handling the iPad at the checkpoint he shut the door and hasn't spoken out since. The TSA confirmed Wednesday that he is no longer employed at the agency.


Read More [via AppleInsider]


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Comments (7)
Comments are closed for this article.
Concerned
Concerned - August 25, 2016 at 2:52pm
Most of the things I've known were stolen from passengers were from other passengers. I would give them the police's number and they would call and track the items to other passengers. While I wouldn't say that some TSA officers don't steal things. 80% of the time the passenger has it. 4%. Another passenger took it. 15% the passenger left it somewhere else and 1% TSA officer took it.
El Compa
El Compa - September 29, 2012 at 2:19pm
While it is unfortunate to see someone's career destroyed, this scenario highlights how effective tracking technology has become for recovering stolen devices.
City023
City023 - September 29, 2012 at 3:35pm
It's not sad. It's just reality. Have you never had something stolen from you($600 worth). We trust the TSA. But now when I pass thru security...not only will they be watching my belongings but I will be watching them too.
Arminium
Arminium - September 28, 2012 at 3:39pm
Anyone else see that it said iPad 5?
Manny P
Manny P - September 28, 2012 at 5:08pm
Probably it was iPad #5 out of 10
AppleMan12
AppleMan12 - September 28, 2012 at 12:04pm
LOL just restore the iPad ahahahaha
jahmed80
jahmed80 - September 28, 2012 at 10:53am
obviously this guy has no experience about iOS..
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