Police Reports

On January 30, 2026, at approximately 1:40 a.m., City of Bradford Police officers conducted a traffic stop on South Avenue after observing a vehicle operating with an equipment violation.

During the stop, officers identified the driver, who was found to have a suspended license and active out-of-state narcotics warrants. While officers were investigating, the rear seat passenger and registered owner, Amelia Garges, exited the vehicle and was observed discarding an item into a nearby snowbank. Officers immediately recovered a clear bag containing suspected narcotics.

Additional drug paraphernalia was also located on Garges’ person. Field testing later confirmed the substance to be a fentanyl and cocaine mixture. Amelia Garges was taken into custody and transported to BCPD for processing.

She was arraigned by MDJ Engman, and bail was set at $5,000. Garges was unable to post bail and was remanded to McKean County Jail for committal. 

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

The City of Bradford Police Department reports the arrest of Kenneth Bell following incidents involving active warrants, flight from police, and drug-related offenses. On November 10, 2025, at approximately 10:39 p.m., officers encountered Bell as a passenger in a vehicle operated by Raymond Kelley at the Country Fair gas station on West Washington Street.

Kelley, who was known to be DUI-suspended, admitted to driving and identified Bell, who had an active warrant issued by PSP Lewis Run. Bell was taken into custody. A search revealed a glass smoking pipe with burnt residue and approximately eight grams of suspected crack cocaine, along with packaging materials, a digital scale, Suboxone strips, THC vape cartridges, and other paraphernalia inside Bell’s backpack.

A silicone container inside the vehicle also contained suspected crack cocaine, which field-tested positive. The vehicle was searched after a search warrant was obtained. Bell was remanded to jail this date on the arrest warrant. Bell later made bail and was released. 

On January 25, 2026, at approximately 11:05 a.m., officers observed Bell outside 9 Kiwanis Court and recognized he had an active warrant issued by the City of Bradford Police Department in relation to the prior offense on November 10th, 2025. When ordered to stop, Bell fled on foot.

After a brief pursuit through deep snow Patrolman T. Blair with the assistance of Patrolman C. Keane, safely took Bell into custody without further incident. Police also noted Bell had previously fled officers on January 16, 2026, by jumping from a window at 6 Kiwanis Court while officers attempted to arrest him on the same warrant.

All charges are pending through the appropriate judicial process. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Bell was arraigned before Judge Luther on the flight-related charges and was remanded to the McKean County Jail on $50,000 bail. He was also arraigned before Judge Engman on the drug-related charges and remanded to the McKean County Jail on an additional $50,000 bail.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Port Allegany man has pled guilty to Failing to Verify his address as required by the law formerly known as Megan’s Law. During a plea hearing at the  McKean County Courthouse, Karl RENNER pled guilty after charges were filed by Trooper Angelina Kimberly of the Pennsylvania State Police in July.  RENNER had moved to another property but failed to notify the State Police of his new address. 

RENNER is a person required to report to the State Police with any change in address due to a prior conviction.  In a separate case, RENNER pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence and a Firearms’ violation.  Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  He will be sentenced in March.  

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a former Rixford man pled guilty during a plea hearing at the McKean County Courthouse today to Failing to Register his address as required by the law formerly known as Megan’s Law. Corporal Sierra Rooke of the Pennsylvania State Police charged Allen YORK with the crimes after a report he had been evicted and began living in another location but had failed to disclose this change in residency to the State Police as required, explained Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne who prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  

During a plea hearing at the McKean County Courthouse today, YORK pled guilty to Failing to Register as required. YORK is a person required to report to the State Police with any change in address due to a prior conviction.  He will be sentenced in March.  

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford man has pled guilty to threatening another person while holding a weapon. Shawn LOADHOLT entered a plea of guilty during a plea conference at the McKean County Courthouse to a charge of Terroristic Threats and Disorderly Conduct.  Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dufresne advised the Court that the Commonwealth was seeking a deadly weapon possessed enhancement due to the possession of a weapon by LOADHOLT during the commission of the crime.  LOADHOLT was charged by City of Bradford Police Officer Colby Keane.  He will be sentenced in March.  

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Smethport man has pled guilty to growing marijuana.  Mark BURLINGAME was reported to be growing marijuana by a Borough employee who observed the suspicious plants at his residence and contacted police.  

Former Chief (now retired) Patrick Warnick investigated and filed the charges. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer advised the court that this is the 2nd offense violation by BURLINGAME of a felony violation under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.  He will be sentenced in March.

Brandan M. Willoughby, 34, of Olean NY, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on I-86 E in the Town of Great Valley due to multiple vehicle and traffic law infractions.  Following an investigation Willoughby consented to the use of a K9 for a vehicle search. K9 Cash positively alerted to the odor of narcotics on the passenger side door of the vehicle operated by Willoughby. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle deputies located a quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Willoughby was transported to the Olean Substation for processing.

Willoughby was processed and released on an appearance ticket and multiple uniform traffic tickets for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Operate Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Switched Plates, No/Inadequate Brake Light. Willoughby is due in the Town of Great Valley Court at a later date for further proceedings.

Members of the Olean Police Departments Emergency Response team served a Search warrant at 212 W. Oak St. apartment B on January 16th at approximately 6:00 p.m.. The Search Warrant was a result of an investigation conducted by the Street Crimes Unit into drug sales from this apartment.

Investigators located over 52 Grams of Cocaine and over 4 Grams of Fentanyl as well as cash. Charges of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felony ) two counts, was placed on 29 year old Markeel Hilson of 505 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Hilson is to appear in Olean City court on February 3rd. The Street Crimes Unit was assisted by the Southern Tier regional drug task force.

January 22, 2026: K9s with the McKean County Detective K9 Unit and the City of Bradford K9 Unit conducted a planned search of Coudersport High School at the request of school administration.  Coudersport Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police-Coudersport assisted in the search.

Pictured are McKean County K9 Rigby and Detective Dakota Eaton, K9 LG, and City of Bradford K9 Duke and Detective Seth Shephard.  Missing from photo is K9 handler Bob Rinfrette.  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “The K9 Units of the McKean County Detective Bureau and City of Bradford regularly search schools and government buildings upon request. To request a search of your school or government building, please call McKean County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.

Bryent Wayne JOHNSON, of Kane, has been charged with Theft for allegedly receiving money on behalf of his employer, PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, but not turning the funds over to the company.

McKean County Detective Todd Erickson filed a complaint against JOHNSON charging him with  2 counts Theft by Unlawful Taking (Felony 3) and 2 counts Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received (Felony 3).  JOHNSON is alleged to have committed the crimes between September and November 2025.

JOHNSON is accused of bidding jobs on behalf of PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, obtaining materials and supplies on the accounts of PV Paving and Concrete, LLC, and receiving money from the customers without turning the money over to PV Paving and Concrete, LLC. JOHNSON was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge William Todd who set bail at $40,000 straight. JOHNSON is scheduled for central court next week. 

JOHNSON, BRYENT WAYNE

THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING

THEFT BY FAILURE TO MAKE REQUIRED DISPOSITION OF FUNDS RECEIVED

Age 24 Gender Male

Presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/mckean/da/136029/arrests/johnson-bryent-wayne-theft-unlawful-taking-and-1-additional-charge

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford woman was convicted after a jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse on January 20th.  Samantha HINCHMAN was charged by Bradford City Police Officer Hobie Milliron after a blind man reported three guitars stolen from his Orchard Apartments residence in 2024. 

The victim testified that he had been communicating with HINCHMAN and the two made plans for her to spend the night at his apartment on February 5, 2024. After she arrived, she claimed that she had to go babysit in another apartment but she urged him to keep his apartment door open and, after text messages throughout the night and into the next day, he left the door unlocked and went to sleep. 

He heard what he thought was his apartment door closing a few hours later, but no one was in the apartment.  He later discovered that the guitars were missing.  He kept them in a certain place within his apartment and he regularly handled them.  He called the building manager to look for video footage of the guitar thieves. 

The jury viewed video of the building showing HINCHMAN and her co-defendant Justin ANDERSON leaving the apartment with the guitars.  Another resident of the building testified that he knew HINCHMAN from school and, when he saw her in the elevator of the building that day, she asked him for a ride and he did not think it was suspicious at the time.  HINCHMAN then directed the man to take her and ANDERSON to various locations in Bradford including Kiwanis Court and then a parking lot in the rear of a Main Street apartment building where City cameras showed the man exit the vehicle in the direction of a known apartment, then return to the vehicle, and exit again with what appears to be the guitars. 

Two of the three stolen guitars were then taken by ANDERSON to a music store in Jamestown, whose owner testified that the guitars were worth $3950.  He agreed to buy them but cancelled the check after learning they were stolen and he turned the guitars over to Officer Milliron. HINCHMAN and ANDERSON were both charged in the case with Theft and conspiring to commit theft. 

ANDERSON pled guilty to Theft (Felony 3) last year.  The jury convicted HINCHMAN of Theft (Felony 3) (value more than $2000) and could not agree on a unanimous verdict on the Conspiracy charge so a verdict of hung jury was declared as to that count alone.  HINCHMAN will be sentenced by the Judge for Theft on March 5. 

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the McKean County Drug Task Force has arrested three out of the same residence for drug crimes following a search warrant executed at 15 Belleview Avenue in Bradford on January 20, 2026. Raymond KELLEY is accused of three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver (crack cocaine) – Felonies; 2 counts of Possession; and 2 counts Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Deliver – Felonies. 

KELLEY is charged with conspiring with Justina AMES and selling crack cocaine while under the surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force. Detective Seth Shephard accuses KELLEY of committing the crimes out of a residence on Belleview Avenue in Bradford over the last month. 

KELLEY was arraigned by on-call magisterial district judge William Todd who set bail at $75,000 straight.  KELLEY was remanded to the McKean County Jail and is scheduled for central court next week. If you suspect drug crimes, please report it to Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.

All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford woman was arrested after the McKean County Drug Task Force arrested three out of the same residence for drug crimes following a search warrant executed at 15 Belleview Avenue in Bradford on January 20, 2026. 

Patricia AMES is charged by Detective Seth Shephard with Possession with Intent to Deliver (crack cocaine) – Felony; Possession; and Criminal Use of a Communication Device (Felony 3). P. AMES is accused of setting up a drug sale and delivering crack cocaine in exchange for $100 while under the surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force earlier this month. P. AMES was arraigned by on-call magisterial district judge William Todd who set bail at $75,000 straight. P. AMES was remanded to the McKean County Jail and is scheduled for central court next week.

If you suspect drug crimes, please report it to Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.

All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford woman is accused of selling drugs out of a residence at 15 Belleview Avenue arrested after the McKean County Drug Task Force arrested her and two others out of that residence on January 20, 2026. 

Justina AMES is charged by Detective Seth Shephard with 3 counts of Conspiracy Possession with Intent to Deliver (crack cocaine) – Felonies; 2 counts Criminal Use of a Communication Device (Felony 3); Possession with Intent to Deliver (Felony); Drug Paraphernalia; and Dealing in Unlawful Proceeds (Felony 1).

Justina AMES is accused of setting up drug sales and conspiring with Patricia AMES and Raymond KELLEY to sell crack cocaine and possessing additional crack for sale while under the surveillance of the McKean County Drug Task Force. During a search warrant, additional crack cocaine was located along with scales and packaging material commonly used to package crack cocaine. In addition to directing drug sales of her co-conspirators, Justina AMES is accused of accepting cash for the sale of crack cocaine and using those drug proceeds to facilitate future illegal drug sales. Justina AMES was arraigned by on-call magisterial district judge William Todd who set bail at $150,000 straight.

Justina AMES was remanded to the McKean County Jail and is scheduled for central court next week. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer notes: “Drug tips by citizens and business owners often are the catalyst for a drug investigation that leads to an arrest and, with it, the removal of a suspected trafficker from the community.

Tips that have led to arrests and, ultimately, conviction have been received by the County Detective Bureau at the District Attorney’s Office from citizens across the county from Kane to Bradford.  If you suspect drug crimes, please report it to Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or McKeanDA.org.”

All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On January 18th, 2026 at approximately 5:01am, Nicole A. Nodes was arrested on an active bench warrant from Chemung County following a traffic stop in the City of Olean. Nicole was taken into custody and eventually turned over to New York State Police.