D.A.: Drexel cop stole money, knives from student

A Drexel University police officer has been charged with theft and related offenses after allegedly pocketing $500 and two knives from a student this year, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

When a supervisor confronted Officer Che Brown about the theft, Brown, 37, allegedly said, "My bad, this is all on me," according to prosecutors.

On Jan. 14, Drexel police searched a student's room at a residence hall on campus for marijuana and confiscated two knives, a bag of white powder, $500, rolling papers, and marijuana, a news release said.

The confiscated goods were given to Brown to be placed in evidence, and he was supposed to write up a property receipt for the student. Prosecutors allege that Brown did not log the $500 or the knives on the receipt and did not put those items into evidence.

Police supervisors became aware of the discrepancy when the student tried to get his items back and discovered they were missing. "When asked by his supervisors about the missing items, Officer Brown said, 'My bad, this is all on me,' " according to the news release.

Sometime thereafter, Brown tried to put the two knives and $500 back in the evidence room, but he was captured on surveillance video, prosecutors said. The denominations of the bills also did not match the denominations of the money that was reported missing, which the student knew because the money was a gift from his grandmother, the District Attorney's Office said.

Brown, of Upper Darby, who has been with Drexel since 2013, was fired because of the theft, the news release said. Along with theft, Brown faces charges of obstructing administration of law and official oppression.

Brown has no listed phone number, and it was unclear Wednesday afternoon whether he had an attorney, as his case had not yet been entered into online court records.

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