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

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]