Police Reports

Rupert C. Pistner, 79, of Morianna Avenue, Bradford, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.  

Born June 5, 1945, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Bernard J. and Frances L. (Olewinski) Pistner Sr. He was a 1963 graduate from Bradford High School. 

After high school, Mr. Pistner was employed at Dresser Manufacturing, and General Electric in Erie.  Following graduation Rupert would enlist into the United States Air Force serving abroad.  He would then be honorably discharged around 1970.  

 After his service, he returned to Dresser Manufacturing as a Tool and Die maker, and he retired in 2003. He later worked as an independent contractor at Dresser Manufacturing. 

On February 14, 1973, he married Christena L. (Barber) Pistner, who preceded him in death on March 25, 2024. 

Rupert was a member of the Union at Dresser Manufacturing, a member of the National Rifle Association and the Stars Aviator Club. He previously drove stock cars at several local tracks including Bradford Speedway and McKean County Raceway.  

Surviving are two sons, Jay Pistner, of Bradford, and Gregory C. Pistner, of New Castle, sister, Patricia Tankersly, of Roulette, one brother, Thomas (Jenny) Pistner Sr., of Rixford, and several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Christena, of 51 years, and two brothers, Donald R. Pistner, and Bernard J. Pistner Sr. 

Family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, from 1pm to 2pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. 372 East Main Street, at 2pm, funeral services will be held with Rev. Rick Price, Pastor of the Church of Christ, officiating. Military Honors will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery in Rasselas with the United States Air Force. 

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Allegheny Highlands Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com 

Officers assigned to the Emergency response team conducted a Search warrant obtained by the Street Crimes unit Tuesday evening at 429 North 9th St. (lower apartment) for drugs. Two people were arrested from this apartment for possessing Cocaine, Fentanyl pills and drug paraphernalia as well as outstanding charges for previous drug sales. Audra Divittorio, age 34 of 429 N. 9th St. was charged with six counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree and five counts of Criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( all B Felonies ) and two additional Felonies for what Investigators found inside the apartment. 48 year old Nealie Linsler who also resides at this apartment was charged with two drug related felonies. Both Linsler and Divittorio were sent to the Cattaraugus County Jail. The Street Crimes unit was assisted by the Southern tier regional drug task force.

On November 3rd, 4th, and 7th, 2024, a 30-year-old male suspect Kevin A. Armstrong allegedly violated a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order by trespassing at a residence located at 1 South Center Street and making contact with the protected person. The suspect also made contact with the victim via cell phone, which is a violation of the no-contact provision of the PFA Order. The City of Bradford Police Department took the suspect into custody on the PFA violations for all three dates. The suspect was arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther and remanded to jail on $10,000 bail. Hearings are scheduled in the matters. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Location 1 South Center Street Bradford, PA 16701

Arrest Date Nov 7, 2024

Incident Type All Other – Criminal Reference ID 2024-11071031

On October 20, 2024, at approximately 2133 hours, a theft and desecration of the American Flag occurred at Veteran Square in downtown Bradford. The suspect then stole a second American Flag from a business on South Avenue and committed another act of desecration. At the time of the crimes, the identity of the suspect was not known. However, on November 9, 2024, the City of Bradford Police Department identified the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect, a 25-year-old male, was arraigned by Magistrate Luther and remanded to McKean County Jail on $30,000 cash bail. Hearings are scheduled on the matter. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Location Veteran Square Bradford, PA 16701

Arrest Date Nov 9, 2024

Incident Type Theft Reference ID 2024-10202133

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Kane man who possessed child pornography has been sentenced by the Judge at a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th. Trey HOWE had previously pled guilty to possessing child pornography for possessing hundreds of images including both prepubescent and post pubescent children, some of which depicted indecent contact within the images.

Pennsylvania State Police-Computer Crimes Division handled the investigation. HOWE was sentenced to 2 years to 4 years plus 3 years of consecutive supervision.  Additional terms included mental health treatment, including sex offender treatment, sex offender registration for 15 years, no unsupervised contact with juveniles and other terms.  He is not eligible for any early parole.   

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Port Allegany woman was sentenced for a physical assault on a minor child.  Mary WILLIAMS pled guilty to Simple Assault and Endangering Welfare of a Child after being charged by Port Allegany Police. 

At a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th, she was sentenced to 85 days to 18 months in the county jail; no unsupervised contact with the victim; mental health treatment and related terms.  She had credit of 85 days served. 

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a convicted sex offender was sentenced to state prison for failing to register as a sex offender. Colton MILLIRON was sentenced to a period of 18 months to 36 months plus 3 years of consecutive probation – this sentence to run consecutive to another sentence he received on another case for a total sentence of 24 months to 56 ½ months. 

MILLIRON was previously convicted at a jury trial of a sex offense for which sex offender registration is required under the law formerly known as Megan’s Law.  He was charged by State Police and pled guilty to failing to provide information related to a change of address, change of job, and email accounts as required under registration requirements. He is not eligible for any early parole program.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on November 7th, Edwin MCPEAK, of Olean, New York, was sentenced to state prison for robbing a bank in Eldred. MCPEAK entered the Hamlin Bank in Eldred on June 6th wearing a gorilla-style mask and demanding money from cashiers while having a firearm.  He fled in a truck that was found to have been stolen from Olean. 

Bank employees conveyed the description of the truck to 911.  Law enforcement from all over McKean County began looking for the vehicle.  MCPEAK was observed in the vehicle and officers pursued him.  He lost control of the vehicle on Rew Hill causing the truck to go over an embankment and was taken into custody.  Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run charged MCPEAK. He was sentenced on charges of Robbery- demanding money from financial institution; Robbery – threatening serious bodily injury; Theft (of bank funds); and Receiving Stolen Property (vehicle from Olean). 

The District Attorney sought a sentencing enhancement that applies when a weapon is used in a crime.  The enhancement allows for a higher permissible sentence.  This enhanced sentence was applied by the Court. The Judge sentenced MCPEAK to incarceration in state prison for 5 years to 10 years plus consecutive supervision. Additional terms include no contact with victims or witnesses, pay restitution for the damage to the vehicle and damage to property, etc. and provide a DNA sample.  MCPEAK is not eligible for any early parole program.  The money was recovered and will be returned to Hamlin Bank. 

K9S COME TO SMETHPORT 4TH GRADE (SMETHPORT, Pennsylvania: November 7, 2024): K9s LG and Nico visited children in Smethport earlier this week.  The K9s, along with McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer and K9 handlers Bob and Vicki Rinfrette, were invited to visit fourth-graders at Smethport Elementary on November 4th.  LG is trained to locate drugs and Nico is trained to locate explosives. 

The visit was part of an educational program geared toward elementary-aged children.  The students and visitors talked about the dangers of drugs and that police officers are their friend. They also talked about what police officers do to keep us safe, how the K9s help the police, and what to do if they are offered drugs.  The students were left with pledge cards with LG’s picture that they can sign as a pledge to say “no” to drugs.  Thank you for inviting us Mrs. Wertz! If you would like a presentation for your group, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312.