Philadelphia police officer to driver: 'You buy these, or I take your car'

PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia police officer could be in serious trouble after cellphone video shows him threatening to take a driver's car away if the driver does not buy tickets to a "fallen heroes" fundraiser.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV that Internal Affairs is investigating the incident involving 32-year-old Matthew Zagursky, a nine-year veteran of the force.

The incident was part of what police call a "live stop," which is part of a crackdown on unregistered and uninsured vehicles.

In the video, posted on Facebook by the driver himself, Zagursky is heard asking whether he has money to buy tickets to the Police and Fire Hero Thrill Show fundraiser.

"You and your friend got any money to buy these thrill show tickets? Support your police department. Ten bucks each, man," said Zagursky.

Ramsey said the act diminishes a charity that supports the families of fallen officers and firefighters.

"He's tarnished that entire event, and the entire cause that it represents, by his actions," said Ramsey.

Money from the show is used to pay college tuition for children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The commissioner has taken the officer off the streets but is waiting for Internal Affairs to complete its investigation before deciding to fire him.

The district attorney will then have to decide if criminal charges should be filed against the officer.