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Thursday, November 29, 2007 Houston TSA Agent Accused
Of Stealing From Passenger By Daniella Guzman KPRC-TV Ch 11 (NBC), Houston (TX) HOUSTON -- A TSA agent was arrested and accused of
stealing from an airline passenger's luggage, police told KPRC Local 2. Investigators said David Copeland was a security agent at
Bush Intercontinental Airport since 2002. They said he screened luggage in the basement of Terminal
C, which is where police said he stole a digital camera and an iPod from a
woman who was flying from Houston to California after her husband's funeral in
the summer. Police said after four months, Copeland sold the iPod to
a local pawnshop in Spring, Texas. "He did admit to selling to the pawn shop, but he
said it was his despite the woman's name and cell phone number were engraved on
the back of it," said Assistant District Attorney Anne Emmons. The woman from California, who did not want to be
identified, said a man who bought the iPod from the pawnshop recently called
her about it. "I bought your iPod and there are personal pictures
and music on there and I wanted to let you know," said Anthony Howell from
Houston. When they realized it was the same stolen iPod, HPD began
investigating and said they found strong evidence of Copeland on the iPod. "Somehow, he downloaded pictures of himself and his
family, wearing his TSA uniform," Emmons said. Police said Copeland was arrested at his home in Spring
on Wednesday afternoon. His wife said she had no idea of her husband's
whereabouts or of what he was accused of doing. "All I know is my son called me at work and said
five cars took David and put him in the back seat," said the suspect's
wife. "He had stuff but I thought it was his. He never mentioned where he
got it. I didn't know." The woman in California said she feels relieved that
Copeland has been arrested because he should be held responsible for not
keeping us safe and instead stealing from passengers. "I just hope other people come forward if they've
been through the same thing," she said. Copeland has been charged with the misdemeanor offense of
theft and has been suspended from TSA indefinitely. The district attorney's office said the value of the
stolen items are over $1,000. The woman's camera has not yet been recovered. She said that was the most valuable item because the
pictures of her husband's memorial are in the camera. Click or paste the link to view the video: Police: TSA Agent Steals iPod, Camera From Luggage http://mfile.akamai.com/12944/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2007/1129/14722454.200k.asx |