The 28-year-old New Jersey man took off the pricey belt when he went through security at about 8 p.m. Jan. 8, but he couldn’t find it on the other end, so he reported it stolen.
Cops scanned over security footage and saw airport cleaner Osmal Reyes, 43, allegedly in possession of the belt.
Thinking he may have tossed the belt, investigators first searched a trash compactor but came up empty-handed, Port Authority spokesman Joe Pentangelo told The Post.
So cops confronted Reyes and discovered the belt rolled up in a side pocket of his work trolley, officials said.
He was arrested and charged with theft, officials said.
It was unclear whether Reyes will keep his job. He works for a Port Authority contractor who would make that determination, according to Pentangelo, who did not immediately know the name of the contractor.