Philly cops jailed after altercation with Florida deputies

Two off-duty Philadelphia police officers and one retired department cop were arrested after a violent altercation with sheriff’s deputies outside Crabby Bill’s restaurant and bar in Florida, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday night.

Paul Seeger, 55, identified by the sheriff’s office as the retired Philadelphia officer, was charged with domestic battery and resisting an officer with violence. Frank Bonett, 44, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, and Cindy Caine, 44, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.

The sheriff’s office posted their mug shots on Facebook and Twitter.

“Deputies believe alcohol was a factor in this case,” the sheriff’s office said.

In an emailed statement late Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Police Department said: “We are aware of the arrests of two off-duty Philadelphia Police Officers in Pinellas County, FL. We are continuing to gather information about the incident from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and will release a statement in the near future.”

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies responded around 11 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a domestic battery at Crabby Bill’s at 401 Gulf Blvd. in Indian Rocks Beach, just south of Clearwater.

The sheriff’s office gave the following account:

The deputies saw Seeger and Caine arguing outside and approached them and called out to them, but the couple began walking away.

One deputy “grabbed Seeger’s arm to stop Seeger from leaving the scene. Seeger resisted and Caine forcefully pushed the deputy’s arm away helping Seeger to break free.”

Bonett then approached the deputy and started making verbal threats.

“Bonett removed his shirt, clinched his fists, and shouted profanities at the deputy. Bonett continued to advance and aggressively postured the deputy after being told numerous times to stay away.”

Then Seeger turned and approached the deputy “in an angry and hostile manner.”

The deputy warned both Bonett and Seeger to stop, but Seeger refused.

The deputy “deployed an electronic control weapon striking Seeger but it was ineffective.”

A violent struggle ensued between the deputy and Seeger, but Seeger was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. Responding deputies took Bonett and Caine into custody.

The sheriff’s office said Caine and Seeger, who are married, “were both uncooperative with the investigation."

All three were transported to the Pinellas County Jail.