By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Law enforcement officials in Montgomery County arrested a Philadelphia police officer on Thursday.
He is one of the 17 people connected to an elaborate scam that stole more than $2.4 million from Comcast.

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Forty-two-year-old Officer John Hoesle, a 15-year veteran of the Philadelphia police force, was involved in the criminal organization designed to cut cable bills in half. The organization was made public by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office on Tuesday. Hoesle is charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy, unlawful use of a computer, computer theft and related crimes.

The police department says Commissioner Charles Ramsey intends to suspend Hoesle for 30 days with intent to dismiss.

The investigation revealed that agents on the street would approach Comcast customers and offer to cut their bills in half for an upfront fee of $150. Most of the checks uncovered in the organization’s bank accounts by Montgomery County officials were in $150 increments.

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