Delco Cop Arrested for Assault, False Report

A Sharon Hill Police Officer was arrested for allegedly assaulting a man and a woman and filing a false report regarding the incident.

A Sharon Hill Police Officer was arrested on Thursday after allegedly assaulting two people and making a false report regarding the incident.

On December 5, shortly after 7 p.m., Officer Stephen Capizzi, 27, of Collingdale, arrived at the Sharon Hill Trolley Station in uniform. Witnesses say Capizzi approached two men who were standing in the station and began to search them while asking “where’s the weed?” Investigators say Capizzi then told one of the men to put his hands against the wall as he continued to search.

Police say a woman then approached Capizzi and told him that the men had done nothing wrong and that they were merely waiting for the trolley after leaving work. This prompted an argument between the two. Capizzi then allegedly grabbed and shook the woman before calling for backup. When two more officers arrived, police say Capizzi threw the woman to the ground, leaned his entire body weight on her and handcuffed her.

Police say one officer told Capizzi to stop, noting that the woman was not resisting. After the woman was placed inside a police vehicle, investigators say Capizzi then returned to one of the men, pushed him against the wall and tried to body slam him to the ground. While the man was in handcuffs, police say Capizzi punched him in the stomach.

Investigators say Capizzi prepared and filed a police report later that night. Capizzi claimed that he received a phone call reporting two disorderly people at the Sharon Hill Police Station while he was at the police station.

Capizzi also claimed he received a tip that there was a situation at the trolley station involving marijuana before he went there. Two other officers who were with Capizzi that night say that no calls were made to Police Headquarters however. They also say Capizzi didn’t mention anything about marijuana and merely told them he was leaving to buy a pack of cigarettes.

Police also say that Capizzi altered the police report on December 13, claiming that while he was traveling on Chester Pike he saw two people arguing at the Trolley Station.

After a lengthy investigation, Capizzi was arrested on Thursday. He is charged with assault, tampering with public information, false report, official oppression and harassment. He was arraigned with bail set at $50,000 unsecured. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 10 at the Sharon Hill District Court.
 

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