Police Reports

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford Township man has been charged with causing the death of a Bradford woman on Jefferson Street on June 7th. Thomas James McElhattan of Rutherford Run is charged by Chief Michael Ward and Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling with Criminal Homicide, Aggravate Assault and 2 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person. 

McElhattan was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther.  Criminal Homicide is a non-bailable offense.  McElhattan was remanded to the McKean County Jail.

City of Bradford Police and Bradford Township Police were assisted in the investigation by the County Detectives, District Attorney, Pennsylvania State Police, Foster Township Police, Pitt-Bradford Police, Bradford City EMS, and the coroner.  Central Court is scheduled for next Thursday. 

Location 59 Jefferson Street Bradford, PA 16701 Date Jun 8, 2025 Incident Type Homicide Case Type Criminal

63 year old Phyllis Jackson of 332 Laurel Ave. lower apartment was arrested on June 3rd at her apartment for an outstanding indictment warrant for selling Crack Cocaine in the City of Olean. This case was presented to a grand jury after an investigation by the Street Crimes unit . Jackson was charged with one count of Criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd. degree and Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felonies ). The Street Crimes unit was assisted by the Drug task force and our Patrol unit. Jackson was transported to the Cattaraugus County Jail to await further proceedings.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of the Duke Center man convicted of Rape of a Child and other sex crimes.  The Superior Court agreed that the jury’s verdict was supported by sufficient evidence and found VANCAMP’S assertion that the Court’s sentence was an abuse of discretion to be “wholly frivolous.”  The Superior Court also agreed with the Trial Court that the evidence was sufficient that VANCAMP meets the definition to be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and that VANCAMP’S assertion otherwise is “frivolous.”  VANCAMP was sentenced to state incarceration for a period of 22 years – 44 years plus additional terms. 

ORIGINAL RELEASE: DUKE CENTER MAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF A CHILD (MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania:  August 29, 2024):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Duke Center man convicted of Rape of a Child in December has been sentenced at a sentencing hearing before the Judge at the McKean County Courthouse today. Sebastian VANCAMP of Duke Center was previously convicted of 2 counts Rape of a Child (victim under 13) and related charges.  Following conviction, pursuant to Pennsylvania Law, he was ordered to undergo an assessment with the Sexual Offender Assessment Board and, following a hearing with the Judge, he was found the meet the definition of a Sexually Violent Predator. Because the Court’s determination of Sexually Violent Predator status is required to occur before sentencing, the original sentencing date was continued to today. He had also been charged with Child Pornography in a different case. 

Following his conviction of Rape of a Child, he pled guilty to possession child pornography.  At today’s sentencing hearing, VANCAMP was sentenced to 22 years to 44 years plus 3 years of consecutive supervision for 2 counts of Rape of a Child (victim under 13); 2 counts Statutory Sexual Assault; Corruption of Minors; 5 counts of Indecent Assault; and Sexual Abuse of Children (Child Pornography).  As a Sexually Violent Predator, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for his lifetime, have no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with juveniles, sex offender treatment and other terms.  He is not eligible for early parole.  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer:  “Because the victim in this case was a child under 13, we were able to seek a higher sentence than the sentencing guidelines provide for on the charges of Rape of a Child – which allowed us to seek a minimum of at least 10 years of incarceration on those charges.   Because he was convicted of 2 counts of Rape of a Child, we asked the Court to give him at least 10 years – 20 years on each Rape to run consecutive to each other to recognize that he committed the crime more than once.  Because the child pornography was a separate crime, we asked the Court to run that consecutively as well.  These cases were the efforts of a brave victim and excellent police work.  And I thank them.” If you suspect child abuse, please call 911 and Childline at 1-800-932-0313.

City of Bradford Police Department Press Release On May 30, 2025, the City of Bradford Police Department responded to a reported retail theft at Tops Market. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, identified Brandon Chase, and took him into custody. The investigation revealed that the individual, Brandon Chase, allegedly stole $27.92 worth of merchandise without paying. It was also discovered that Chase has prior charges pending for retail theft. Chase was arraigned by Magistrate Luther and bail was set at $2,500 unsecured. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to protecting the community and holding individuals accountable for their actions. If you have any information about this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the City of Bradford Police Department at 814-887-4911.

On May 31st, 2025, at approximately 1957 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a report of criminal trespass at 20 Main Street, Apartment G1.

Upon arrival, officers detained a male individual, identified as Marcus Mawn, who was accused of breaking into the residence. The female resident reported that Mawn had followed her home and forced his way into her apartment without permission, causing damage to a TV in the process.

Officers witnessed Mawn kicking a door in on the residence upon their arrival. As a result, Mawn was taken into custody and charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass, and Criminal Mischief.

Mawn was arraigned by Magistrate William Todd and remanded to McKean County Jail on $30,000 bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community.

We encourage anyone with information about this incident or any other criminal activity to contact us at 814-887-4911. 

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On May 25, 2025, at approximately 2037 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a trespassing incident at 54 Mechanic Street. Upon investigation, officers discovered that the defendant, Craig R. Whitmer , had violated a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA) in place, prohibiting him from harassing, stalking, or abusing an adult female resident at the address.

Through witness statements and video surveillance, officers determined that a physical altercation had occurred between the two parties, resulting in the defendant’s violation of the PFA. The defendant, Craig R. Whitmer, was subsequently arrested on May 29, 2025, and arraigned by Magistrate William Todd.

Whitmer was remanded to McKean County Jail without bail, pending arraignment on additional protection order violations. The City of Bradford Police Department takes incidents of this nature seriously and will continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On Friday, May 23rd. at 6: 30 p.m. Investigators with the Street Crimes unit located 54 year old James Young A.K.A. ” Goldie” of 267 Linwood St. Buffalo operating a motor vehicle in North Olean. Patrol Officers attempted to stop Young who drove on to Rt 86.

Young was wanted on an outstanding Indictment warrant for Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree and Criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felonies ). Young did not initially stop for Officers on Rt. 86 after they activated their emergency lights. Officers observed Young throwing what appeared to be drugs out of his car window while on Rt. 86. Young later stopped his vehicle on Rt. 86 and was taken into custody. Investigators located ten baggies of Crack Cocaine on Rt 86 that Young threw out of his vehicle.

Young was transported to the Olean Police Department where he was charged with one count of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felony ), Tampering with physical evidence ( E Felony ) and several vehicle and traffic violations in addition to the Indictment charges. Young was transported to the Cattaraugus County Jail pending further Court proceedings.