KTLA anchor Lu Parker arrested at LAX for theft, police say

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Journalist Lu Parker at the 63rd Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on August 6, 2011 in North Hollywood, California.
Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images-AP

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A news anchor at KTLA was arrested for theft at the Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, according to authorities.

LAX police confirmed 48-year-old Lu Parker, a midday news anchor on KTLA, was arrested after they said she took a pair of $200 headphones at about 7 a.m.

Officials stated the incident happened at the TSA passenger-screening area in Terminal 6.

The former Miss USA was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of petty theft.

KTLA released the following statement:

"Earlier today Lu Parker was traveling to tend to her father who is ill. After going through the security line at LAX, Lu noticed earbuds were left behind. She picked them up intending to return them to the owner whom she had been speaking with while in line to clear TSA. When she was unable to locate the owner, Lu boarded her flight. We believe this is a misunderstanding, Lu is cooperating fully with the authorities and we are confident she will be able to clear this all up."

City News Service contributed to this report.