(Image Source: Gawker)

BY CHARLES MCKEAGUE

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Another Apple falls from the tree.

All the result of the mysterious find of a second apple prototype back in July.

9to5mac has the exclusive on another big Apple name, stepping down.

“We’ve heard that John Theriault, the company’s head of security operations, has left the company following the controversial lost iPhone 4S investigation earlier this year.”

Reaction among the tech media is mixed.  Some aren’t very critical – but Gawker is critical of Apple’s alleged home invasion after the prototype went missing.  The site’s headline reads “Apple’s Sleazy Secret Police Lose Their Leader” and goes on to say…

“Leave no fingerprints. That's the way corporate security is supposed to work. But John Theriault left big, messy ones when his Apple security agents penetrated the home of an innocent San Francisco man. Now Theriault is out of a job, and his creepy security department will probably be a lot more careful—about getting caught.”

Cult of Mac notes Theriault is just one of many to leave the company recently – and based on his prior work experience, Gawker’s secret police headline might not be that far off.

“His departure will be added to the growing list of Apple executives that have jumped ship in recent months. … Theriault worked as VP and Chief Security Officer at Pfizer Inc before joining Apple in 2007. Prior to that he worked as a special agent for the FBI.”

Whether he was fired – or left on his own is still hotly debated.  Either way – a writer for TFTS says, whoever fills the void will be subject to the same scrutiny.

“At this time we have no idea who will take over Apple’s VP of Global Security position at Apple, but he or she will certainly have a tough job ahead as this is probably not the last Apple device we’re going to write about.”

Still no official word on what actually happened with the iPhone 4s prototype which started the whole controversy. Apple has yet to comment.