ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. - Ellwood City Council voted Monday night to accept the resignation of a police officer who was recently charged in connection with an alleged assault incident.

Council unanimously voted to accept the resignation of officer Robert Magnifico. Ellwood City Mayor Tony Court tells 21 News Magnifico's retirement from the department began Monday night.

Magnifico will still receive his retirement benefits.

Magnifico is currently facing charges of simple assault, official oppression, tampering with public records and unsworn falsification to authorities in connection with an incident at a Sheetz gas station in June of 2025.

According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the incident began when a 19-year-old left his phone at the Sheetz store on 5th Street in Ellwood City and tried to get it back.

The AG's Office says employees at the store would not give the man his phone back and called the police when he became "verbally frustrated."

Eventually, Magnifico allegedly came from behind the counter and shoved the man to the ground and "verbally berated him." This interaction was captured on a video recorded by the man's friend.

The AG's Office further alleges that when the man asked for Magnifico's name and badge number, he provided the information while walking towards him and bumping him in an "intimidating manner," followed by taking the man's friend's phone and throwing it onto a table.

Furthermore, the AG's Office alleges that Magnifico lied about what transpired in his police report on the incident.

In addition to the charges, Mayor Court tells 21 News that disciplinary action had previously been taken against Magnifico in connection with this incident, including a 10-day suspension without pay and a demotion from sergeant to patrolman.

He was also ordered to take anger management and de-escalation classes.

Magnifico is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing November 18.