7th Police District Advisory Council
9845 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19115
ph: 215-728-7300
fax: 215-874-4793
info
Police Officer of the Month
Each month the officers of the 7th District nominate one of their peers to be recognized as "Officer of the Month" for outstanding service to the community. The chosen officer is invited to the next monthly meeting of the P.D.A.C. where he/she is presented with various city and state citations, a gift basket compliments of Wawa Corp and a gift from the P.D.A.C.
This page will periodically be updated with information on the latest nominees. The P.D.A.C. wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the various sponsors of this monthly award.
June, 2010
P/O Michael Bonatsos #6454
P/O Thomas Carpino #2863
On Thursday, June 24 at approximately 5:00 P.M. 8th District police officers responded to the ReMax Real Estate office at 2471 Grant Avenue. Two black females had entered that location. While one distracted an employee, the other stole a black credit card case from an employee’s office. After both females exited the building, witnesses observed them exiting the parking lot in a blue Nissan Armada. The vehicle was later observed parked unattended in the shopping center at 9101 Roosevelt Blvd. The offenders were then observed exiting Marshall’s, loading the vehicle with shopping bags and then entering the vehicle. Officers Carpino and Bonatsos stopped the vehicle for investigation. Recovered from the floor of the vehicle was a black wallet containing 16 credit cards bearing the complainant’s name. The complainant and a witness were transported to the Marshall’s parking lot where they positively identified the females as those who were inside the ReMax office. The females had charged $588.11 to the complainant’s Master Card and $300.00 to her VISA card. Both females were arrested and charged with Theft, Criminal Conspiracy and related offenses.
On this same day, an assault by handgun occurred in the 15th Police District. The offender was identified and it was determined that he lived on the 100 block of Stratford Drive in the 7th District. The following day Officers Carpino and Bonatsos observed the male sitting on his front steps and arrested him for the incident the previous day. Parked in front of the house was a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle used during the previous day’s assault. A search of the vehicle found a box containing 43 .45 caliber live rounds, a black gun case and black gun holster. A search of the property found 8 pounds of marijuana, various narcotics paraphernalia, 2 semiautomatic handguns and over $9000 in U.S. currency. The suspect was charged with violations of CSA, VUFA, Terroristic Threats and related offenses.
On Wednesday, June 30 detectives were conducting surveillance of a suspect whom they had zeroed in on after investigating several residential burglaries. The suspect had parked his vehicle at several locations in the 7th District and began walking the neighborhood. The suspect ultimately parked in the 9700 block of Clark Street and began walking on the 2100 block of Berwyn Street and 2200 Berwyn Place. Detectives called the 7th District BD team consisting of Officers Carpino and Bonatsos. Officer Carpino walked through the alley toward Berwyn Place and saw the offender in the rear yard of 2215. Officer Carpino observed the male attempt to pull open the rear sliding doors as well as the front door. The suspect ultimately climbed an air conditioning unit, opened a window and climbed into the residence. Officer Carpino called the detectives who entered the property with him. They found a closet door locked from the inside. The door was forced open and they could see a hatch leading to an attic. K-9, SWAT and a ladder assisted in the search. After about an hour, the male came down from the attic. He was charged with burglary and related offenses.
Officers Carpino and Bonatsos continue to make quality arrests in an effort to control crime in the 7th District.
July, 2010
P/O Stephen Gantz #7003
P/O William Killian #7010
During the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 7 a complainant stated that while he was asleep an unknown person came in an unlocked window and took a jewelry box containing gold cufflinks, onyx cufflinks, a gold watch and bracelet and the keys to his daughter’s 2006 Ford Taurus from his residence in the 500 block of Arnold Street. The offender also took the vehicle which was later recovered at 8127 Jeanes Street.
Officers Gantz and Killian stopped the offender for a burglary in the 500 block of Arthur Street. Recovered from his right front pants pocket was a gold plated cufflink which was shown to the Arnold Street complainant and positively identified as his. The suspect was charged with burglary and related offenses.
Officers Gantz and Killian are true assets to both the 7th Police District and the community.
August, 2010
P/O Frank Carelli #9794
On Wednesday, August 18 at approximately 1:50 A.M. Officer Carelli, working RPC 724, received flash information of a Mercury Grand Marquis occupied by four males that were wanted for the robbery of two Wawa stores. Officer Carelli observed a vehicle matching the description exiting the parking lot of a Wawa at 7900 Oxford Avenue. Officer Carelli stopped the vehicle at 400 Rhawn Street and observed a b/m sit up in the back seat and then lie back down. The males were removed from the vehicle. Recovered from the vehicle were a black hooded sweatshirt worn by one male during the robberies, a black and silver plastic BB gun and $1165 in US Currency. After being read their rights, all three offenders gave statements of admission to detectives. None of the offenders had a license to carry a firearm and one offender had a prior felony conviction.
Officer Carelli’s sharp observation skills and quick action resulted in three dangerous criminals being taken off the streets.
From left to right: Officer Vince Goodchild, Officer Tom Carpino, Captain Joe Zaffino and Officer Mike Bonatsos.
2009
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
We would like to congratulate Officer Ernest Green, our 2009 Police Officer of the Year. Officer Green was honored at an award ceremony held at the Island Green Country Club on May 20, 2010. Also nominated for this prestigious award were the following officers:
John Lordan
Carmen Espada
Derrick Walker
The above group of officers represent only a few of more than a hundred dedicated officers serving the citizens of the 7th Police District.
9845 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19115
ph: 215-728-7300
fax: 215-874-4793
info
