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The $1,000 watch Ortiz allegedly stole. (Courtesy Port Authority Police)

NEWARK -- A TSA agent was arrested this week after allegedly stealing a $1,000 watch from a passenger's bag that was going through a security screening, officials confirmed Friday.

At about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, police say witnesses allegedly saw Daniel Ortiz, Jr., 39, remove the watch from a passenger's bag during the screening process, and place it into his pocket. Ortiz, of Woodland Park, was on duty as a Transportation Security Administration officer at Newark Liberty International Airport at the time, police said.

Ortiz. (Courtesy Port Authority Police Department)

Authorities recovered the silver watch - a Michele Deco worth about $1,000 - from the pants pocket of Ortiz's uniform, Port Authority police spokesman Joseph Pentangelo confirmed.

He was arrested and is due in court in Elizabeth on March 2, authorities said.

Last month, a TSA agent was allegedly caught driving drunk outside Newark airport, and in September of last year, a TSA agent was arrested after stealing cash from a passenger's luggage at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.