Dallas Officer Accused of Stealing Apple Products During Security Shifts

A Dallas police officer, Senior Cpl. Le Chau, has been arrested on charges of theft exceeding $37,000 from Apple Stores where he worked off-duty as a security guard.

Over the past two years, Apple's security team observed significant inventory discrepancies at their NorthPark, Knox Street, and Galleria locations in Dallas. These stores ranked among the top ten globally for such variances. An internal investigation led to surveillance footage capturing Chau allegedly concealing merchandise in his police jacket and leaving the stores with duffel bags filled with products.

In one instance, Chau was seen using a trash picker to retrieve items from high shelves, including a box of AirPods Pro, which he then hid in his jacket. Serial numbers from the stolen items were later found discarded in the store's restroom.

Further investigation revealed that Chau's wife was selling Apple products on Facebook Marketplace. Both were detained at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in April. Chau has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. He has been with the Dallas Police Department since 2013, most recently assigned to the Basic Academy.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance in retail security and the trust placed in law enforcement officers. The Dallas Police Department continues to investigate the matter to uphold the integrity of its force.