Dallas Police investigating a theft case involving a local officer at an Apple Store.
A Dallas police officer, Senior Corporal Le Chau, has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $37,000 worth of merchandise from Apple Stores while on off-duty security shifts. Investigators uncovered a pattern of thefts linked to Chau over a two-year period, with evidence showing him using his police jacket to conceal stolen items. The incident has raised concerns about police integrity as Chau faces felony theft charges, pending an internal investigation by the Dallas Police Department.
Dallas – A Dallas police officer has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $37,000 worth of merchandise from local Apple Stores while working off-duty security shifts. Senior Corporal Le Chau, who has been with the Dallas Police Department since 2013, turned himself in to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office on July 10, facing felony theft charges.
Chau’s arrest follows an intensive investigation initiated by Apple’s security team, which had observed a concerning pattern of disappearing products from stockrooms at various retail locations in Dallas over a two-year period. Specifically, the Apple Stores at NorthPark, Knox Street, and the Galleria reported exceptionally high product count discrepancies, ranking among the top ten for losses across all Apple locations.
Surveillance footage played a pivotal role in the investigation, showing Chau concealing stolen items in his police jacket and using duffle bags to transport the merchandise out of the stores. On multiple occasions, investigators recorded Chau entering the stores with large bags and leaving with them filled with stolen goods.
According to the affidavit, Chau’s thefts included a significant incident in which he reportedly took over $17,000 worth of products in a single night. Evidence collected during the investigation revealed that Chau was skilled at evading detection; on one occasion, he climbed to a top shelf in a stockroom and used a trash picker to retrieve items including a full box of AirPod Pros, which he then attempted to hide within his jacket.
Additionally, during subsequent investigations, serial numbers from some of the stolen AirPods were discovered in a restroom trash can at one of the stores. The investigation escalated when Apple installed covert cameras in their stores and captured footage of Chau committing theft repeatedly.
Reports indicate that Chau sometimes brought backpacks and duffle bags into the stores during his security shifts and was frequently seen leaving with those bags full. Furthermore, investigators discovered that Chau’s wife was allegedly selling stolen Apple products on Facebook Marketplace, tying her further into the accusations against him.
Chau has been placed on administrative leave by the Dallas Police Department, pending an internal investigation into his actions. A search warrant executed at his home yielded additional evidence related to the thefts, further complicating the case against him.
Chau was previously seen engaging in suspicious behavior at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, where both he and his wife were detained and questioned by the FBI in April. The total estimated value of stolen merchandise linked to Chau during the investigation stands at $37,806.
Following his arrest, Chau posted bond the same day and has since been released. The charge of theft he faces is classified as a third-degree felony due to the value of the stolen goods exceeding $30,000 but remaining below $150,000.
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of law enforcement and the role of police officers in community safety. As the Dallas Police Department proceeds with its internal investigation, the community remains on alert for further developments in this high-profile case.
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