New Orleans police officer resigns after being accused of stealing AirPods from Apple Store

AirPods remain a hot commodity even a year later, but they’re definitely not worth unemployment. Unfortunately, it sounds like a New Orleans police officer may have miscalculated that equation during a recent Apple Store visit…

The Times-Picayune reports that a patrol officer for the New Orleans Police Department is accused of misdemeanor theft after allegedly stealing a pair of AirPods from the local Apple Store in Metairie, Louisiana. The officer accused of stealing AirPods from the Apple Store has since resigned as a result.

Deputies issued NOPD Patrol Officer Ayona McGilberry, 24, of Metairie, a summons for misdemeanor theft on Monday (March 5), said Lt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

McGilberry, who joined the department in July 2016, has resigned, according to NOPD.

The alleged theft occurred yesterday when the patrol officer was visiting the Apple Store in full uniform to have her iPhone repaired at the Genius Bar (please tell me this was for a battery replacement!). According to the report, Apple Store staff helped the officer with AirPods before she declined to purchase them.

Staff later observed the officer grabbing AirPods anyway while leaving the Apple Store without making a transaction.

When sheriff deputies arrived to the shopping center, the patrol officer had already left the building — but her contact information was readily available after having her iPhone serviced. Using that information, the sheriff’s office was able to follow up with the accusation:

The Sheriff’s Office reached out to NOPD Public Integrity Bureau and made contact with McGilberry, issuing her the summons, Rivarde said.

Unfortunate decision making on the part of the accused police officer, but kudos to the New Orleans area Apple Store staff for protecting their inventory from even the most unassuming suspects.

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