An ex-Philadelphia patrol officer who briefly worked in the Northeast was sentenced Thursday to three years probation after admitting that he stole $352 from a woman he thought was a panhandler.
Kevin Workman, 48, actually grabbed the cash from an undercover fellow officer, who was working for the police department’s Internal Affairs Bureau and posing as the beggar.
The sting occurred on Oct. 17 in the 2nd district, where Workman was assigned. At the time of his arrest, sources within the district told the Northeast Times that Workman had been transferred there weeks earlier after supervisors received complaints about him in the 22nd district in North Philly.
The police department refused to disclose details of the investigation or Workman’s alleged crimes at the time, saying only that he had been suspended with intent to dismiss.
After last week’s hearing, Assistant District Attorney Michael Bonner reportedly told KYW radio, “Police had tips Officer Workman had a case of sticky fingers and was taking money from people he was arresting.”
Investigators recorded the serial numbers of the bait money used in the sting. That cash was recovered.
In a negotiated plea, Workman pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, obstruction of justice and official oppression and was ordered to pay $1,875 in restitution to other victims. In exchange, the DA’s office dropped two theft charges against him. ••
