Philadelphia police investigate report that officers stole money at Pat's Cafe

Philadelphia police have removed at least two officers from street duty while Internal Affairs investigates an incident this week at Pat's Cafe in the Northeast, a department spokesman said Wednesday.

Lt. Frank Vanore said the Internal Affairs Bureau had just received the case from Northeast Detectives.

Broadcast reports said the department was investigating an allegation that officers entered Pat's Cafe, at 4690 Castor Ave. in the Northwood section, early Tuesday while it was closed and that at least one took money from the safe.

A man who answered the phone at Pat's and identified himself as the manager said he could not comment.

Broadcast reports said officers from the 15th District had responded to a report of a burglary at an automotive detailing shop behind Pat's. The officers found no evidence of a burglary and then allegedly made their way into Pat's, where they drank beer.

The events at Pat's reportedly were captured on surveillance video.

Pat's Cafe was where Officer Gary Skerski was fatally shot in 2006 while responding to a robbery.

Contact staff writer Robert Moran at 215-586-0005 or bmoran@phillynews.com.