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Two veteran cops charged with stealing public utilities

A pair of veteran Philadelphia police officers were arrested and charged Tuesday with stealing utilities from PGW, PECO and the Water Department.

A pair of veteran Philadelphia police officers were arrested and charged Tuesday with stealing utilities from PGW, PECO and the Water Department.

Lt. Aisha Perry, 53, faces six counts of theft of services, conspiracy and risking a catastrophe, police said.

Officer George Suarez, 54, faces 10 counts of theft of services, six counts of conspiracy and 10 counts of risking a catastrophe, police said.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey will suspend both cops for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.

According to a law enforcement source, the theft of services involved two properties: Perry's house on Winchester Avenue near Narvon Street in Northeast Philadelphia, and a rehabilitation center called Clean and Sober Residents on Girard Avenue near 19th Street.

Perry and Suarez are listed in real estate records as the owners of the Girard Avenue property.

Suarez is a 25-year veteran of the force and was most recently assigned to Germantown's 14th District.

Perry, a 31-year veteran of the force, has been on desk duty since May 2011 while Internal Affairs and the District Attorney's Office investigated the theft allegations.

She came under scrutiny again during the summer, when a longtime friend accidentally drowned in her background pool.

Police sources have said that Perry allegedly made several phone calls before calling 9-1-1 to report the drowning. That incident is also being investigated by Internal Affairs.