A local deputy fire chief has been fired after investigators say he did not initially report an incident in which he was arrested for assaulting his wife.
Back on September 24 of last year, police responded to the Quality Gas Station on York Road in Warminster for an assault report. When police arrived they found a woman who claimed she was assaulted by her husband while driving south on York Road in the vicinity of Street Road. While police say the woman suffered several facial injuries and bruises they claim she refused transport to the hospital and said she would seek private medical treatment.
Police identified the suspect as Robert Wilkins, 50, of Philadelphia. Wilkins was also the Deputy Fire Chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Wilkins turned himself in to police and was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to those charges last month.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers claimed Wilkins did not initially report the incident to the department. As a result, Ayers announced on Monday that Wilkins was given a 30 day suspension with the intent to dismiss. While Ayers claimed Wilkins was a good worker, he also claimed his failure to report the assault incident to the department was unacceptable.
Wilkins also made headlines back in March of 2010 after police say he shot a woman who broke into his home. Wilkins was never charged for that incident which police deemed as self-defense.
