Philly cop facing federal charges
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A Philadelphia Police officer is facing criminal charges after allegedly trying to steal from someone he should have arrested.
After an investigation by the FBI and Philadelphia Police, Assistant U.S. Attorney Arlene Fisk said Officer Thomas Vitanovitz has been charged and suspended without pay with intention to dismiss. While he was a police officer in the 24th District, he tried to extort drugs from an unidentified drug dealer, authorities said Monday.
“On July 21 of 2015, he attempted an extortion when he unlawfully took property and things of value, specifically 50 pills, which he believed was a controlled substance,” according to Fisk.If the 10-year veteran of the force is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail and a potential fine.
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