Police Reports

On 08/16/2024 the City of Bradford Fire Engine lost a new Milwaukee leaf blower out of one of the storage compartments when it was making a turn from Chestnut Street on Main Street heading west. Once the firemen noticed the items missing investigators used surveillance camera systems to determine where the item fell out of the truck at.

The Milwaukee leaf blower observed on camera laying in the roadway in front of PNC Bank on Main Street. A white SUV then pulls up and an adult male exited the passenger door and took the leaf blower into his possession.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two-day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Tuesday HALE, formerly of Bradford, was convicted of crimes related to a staged “kidnapping-for-ransom-of-drugs” plot in the City of Bradford in August, 2023. HALE was charged after the City of Bradford Police received a report from a Bradford man who had received messages – including a staged picture – from his girlfriend’s cell phone stating that his girlfriend had been kidnapped and was being held in a drug-induced state. 

The messages further stated that the kidnapped woman would be sexually assaulted if the male did not deliver methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and money to the kidnapper. During the initial investigation, officers were able to locate the allegedly-kidnapped woman.  Upon further investigation, the officers learned that HALE and the allegedly-kidnapped woman worked together to stage a fake kidnapping to obtain drugs and money from the male.

HALE was convicted of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (Felony 3); Solicitation of the Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F); Criminal Conspiracy of Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1); and Attempted Acquisition of a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, or Subterfuge. Officer Patrick Caskey, Officer Hobie Milliron, and Officer Tyler Blair assisted in the investigation and trial.  Officer Joshua Frederoski was the lead investigator and filed charges.  Assistant District Attorney Casey Graffius prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Sentencing is set for October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Brady PYSADEE, of Rochester, was convicted of crimes related to the death of a Bradford woman due to a fatal overdose in 2021. PYSADEE was charged after City of Bradford Police and City of Bradford Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to a call of a cardiac arrest at an apartment on East Main Street in Bradford on June 17, 2021. 

Upon arrival, Officers observed Mercedes Simonds unresponsive.  Despite resuscitation efforts by the caller, Police and EMS, Mercedes was pronounced deceased upon her arrival at BRMC.  An autopsy and toxicology showed that she died as a result of a drug overdose predominantly caused by fentanyl.  Officers soon learned from witnesses that she had been contacted by PYSADEE and they had made arrangements to meet in the evening of June 16, 2021. 

 On August 12th, 2024 City of Bradford Police were dispatched to 12 Storey Place for an unwanted person. Upon arrival Officers located an adult female with obvious swelling and bruising around her eye and she reported her boyfriend Antwon Jacobs had struck her causing these injuries.

Officers took Jacobs into custody and charged him with Simple Assault and Harassment. Magistrate William Todd arraigned Jacobs on these charges and he was remanded to McKean County Jail on $10,000 cash bail. Pennsylvania State Parole also placed a detainer warrant on Jacobs in relation to these new charges.  Location 12 Storey Place Bradford, PA 16701 Arrest Date Aug 12, 2024 Incident Type Assault – Other

CC 2701 A1 SIMPLE ASSAULT (M2)

CC 2709 A1 HARASSMENT (S)