A Bradford man is in McKean County Jail for allegedly conspiring to set a stolen truck ablaze in the woods in Bradford Township in June.
James Bunce Sr., 31, of High Street, is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, a first-degree felony, and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and risking a catastrophe, all third-degree felonies.
Bradford Township Police say Bunce conspired with another person in the June 29 fire, according to a criminal complaint in the case.
The complaint stated that at about 7:55 a.m. June 29, Police Chief Robb Shipman responded to a report of suspected gunfire in the area of Songbird Road. An extended sound of a horn blowing came immediately after. Shipman was turning onto Songbird Road and saw a large amount of black smoke coming from the end of Songbird.
“This area has residences and several oil and gas wells and storage tanks used in the production of oil and natural gas,” Shipman indicated. He arrived on the scene to find a burning pickup truck and called for the fire department to respond, while also quickly determining the truck was unoccupied, the complaint read.
After the fire was extinguished, police found footprints leading away from the scene, heading east through the woods toward the Bradford school bus garage on Songbird Road. Police requested a search dog and the state police fire marshal, the complaint stated.
Police interviewed witnesses in the area, who said they saw two men walking down Songbird toward Owens Way. Both were reported to be wearing dirty clothes and looking down at the ground “so as not to be identified,” the complaint stated. A township employee told police the two men were seen heading south down the walking trail.
Police used surveillance camera footage in the area and saw the two men at the Kwik Fill on South Avenue, which is accessible from the walking trail. The two were picked up there by a family member, the complaint stated.
The fire marshal determined the truck fire was arson. The search dog followed the scent from the burned truck to the Kwik Fill, the complaint indicated.
The truck had been reported stolen from Houston, Pa., on June 25, the complaint alleged.
Bunce was arrested Friday and arraigned before District Judge Rich Luther. He was remanded to jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Aug. 9.
Contacted Friday, Shipman said that the investigation is continuing into the identity of the second man.
