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Ex-Police Commissioner’s son surrenders in house-stealing scheme

The son of former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson surrendered to authorities today a week after being charged in a house-stealing scheme.

The son of former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson surrendered to authorities today a week after being charged in a house-stealing scheme.

Steven Johnson, 49, a former SEPTA police lieutenant, was arrested at the District Attorney's office this morning and charged with criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, forgery, tampering with records and related counts.

A three-year investigation uncovered 22 cases of forged deeds recorded with the city that were used to transfer uninhabited properties. The properties often were sold to innocent purchasers without the knowledge of the lawful owners, said a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's.

In addition to Johnson, of Holmesburg, three other men were arrested Wednesday, Jan. 9, and charged in the scheme. They were Zachary Stokes, 55, of Society Hill; Oscar Ketter, 42, of South Philadelphia; and Elhadi Ibrahim, 48, of Bustleton.