Suburban police arrested a Northeast patrol officer last week after they interrupted him allegedly fondling and soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl in a Bensalem Township motel room.
Officer Anthony Dattilo, 36, of the 7200 block of Gillespie St. in Tacony, has been suspended from his duties in the 2nd district and will be fired from the force after 30 days, Philadelphia police said in a printed statement.
Dattilo is a seven-year veteran of the department.
Bensalem police allegedly found Dattilo in a room at the Lincoln Motel in Trevose with the victim and her 21-year-old cousin at about 12:30 a.m. last Wednesday. Dattilo allegedly had paid the woman for sex and was touching the girl inappropriately moments before police arrived.
According to a news release from the arresting agency, police went to the motel looking for the teen, whose family feared had been abducted. When officers knocked at the door, Dattilo answered it and identified himself as a 2nd district officer.
The 14-year-old was inside the room crying and told investigators that Dattilo had “fondled her in an attempt to have sex with her,” Bensalem police said.
The woman told investigators that she initially had called Dattilo by telephone and agreed to meet him for sex in North Philadelphia. She convinced the 14-year-old to accompany her to the rendezvous, although the girl was reluctant, Bensalem police said. The woman has not been charged.
As Dattilo drove the females to the motel, the girl sent text messages to relatives alerting them to her location. Dattilo allegedly offered to pay each female $100 to have sex with him.
At the motel, he had intercourse with the 21-year-old in front of the girl, then turned his attentions to the girl, authorities allege.
Bensalem police formally arrested Dattilo on Thursday on charges of aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact or communication with a minor, corruption of minors, promoting prostitution and related offenses.
He posted $50,000 bail on Friday and was released from Bucks County prison in Doylestown. During an arraignment before District Judge Michael Burns, Dattilo reportedly identified himself as the sole caregiver for his disabled mother and father.
City court records list him as the arresting officer in six retail theft cases in the 2nd district since October.
In response to news reports linking Dattilo to the family that operates Dattilo’s Italian Deli at 8000 Horrocks St. (near Rhawn Street and Bustleton Avenue), owners Frank and Siro Dattilo announced that the suspended officer has no connection to the business. ••
