Cop Gets Probation For Stealing From Frankford Bar During Break-In Probe
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former Philadelphia police officer, convicted of stealing money on what police believe is hallowed ground, has been sentenced to probation.
Officer Kenneth Crockett stole from the same Frankford bar where another officer had died several years earlier trying to protect employees and patrons during an armed robbery (see previous story).
Authorities say Crockett and other officers were investigating a possible break-in at Pat's Café, and Crockett was caught on tape taking money -- $825 -- from the bar's safe.
In 2006, surveillance cameras at the same bar had captured another crime, an armed robbery in progress, that cost police officer Gary Skerski his life.
Prosecutor Terri Domsky recommended a prison sentence for Crockett.
"The fact that this would happen there added and made it that much more difficult for the officers. They were, including the commissioner, embarrassed that it happened, and that it happened there," she said after the sentencing.
But the defense argued that Crockett, who had an otherwise distinguished 27-year career, had already suffered enough because he's been "destroyed" by this -- he's lost his job and his pension.
