Winkler
A Northeast Philadelphia-based police officer will be fired and is facing felony charges in Bucks County after he allegedly threatened and robbed two men in a dispute over contract construction work last month.
Officer Michael Winkler, who is assigned to the 15th district, will be suspended for 30 days then dismissed from the force by Police Commissioner Richard Ross. Philadelphia Police said that authorities in Bristol Township arrested Winkler on Friday following their investigation into a May 5 incident in Croydon.
Winkler was on duty that date when he allegedly drove an unmarked city vehicle to the 700 block of Newportville Road, where he confronted two men with whom Winkler allegedly had “a business dispute.” The victims claimed that Winkler lured them to the location by telling them he wished to hire them for more contract work.
Instead, Winkler allegedly demanded that they surrender their money. The robbery amounted to about $38, police said.
Winkler, 36, was charged with two counts each of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property, along with four counts of harassment, two counts of official oppression and two counts of false imprisonment. Winkler is a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia police force. The 30-day suspension prior to firing is a standard protocol in the department. ••
