SEPTA police officer placed on leave after second arrest in South Jersey

A SEPTA train.
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

A SEPTA Transit police officer has been placed on leave after his second arrest in as many months, the transit agency announced Tuesday.

Both incidents occurred while the officer was off duty in Camden County, New Jersey, SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III said.

Steven Miele, 30, was already on administrative duty following a Sept. 5 arrest for simple assault.

The latest arrest occurred Monday following a domestic dispute. Miele was charged with burglary and theft in that incident.

The criminal investigations are being handled by the Mount Ephraim Police Department.

Nestel praised SEPTA for taking "immediate and appropriate action" after learning of both arrests.

The SEPTA Police Board of Inquiry will determine the appropriate discipline for Miele after the details of the cases are reviewed, Nestel said.