A man is facing allegations that he drove away in a car in Bradford while the owner was putting air in the tires, then crashing the car at Allegany State Park.
Andrew S. Vanguilder, 32, previously of Jamestown, N.Y., was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone on charges of robbery of a motor vehicle, a first-degree felony; theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, third-degree felonies; and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a second-degree misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, on Monday, Bradford City Police were called to Country Fair in Bradford for a report of a motor vehicle theft. There, the victim told police that he was filling the rear passenger tire of the car, when someone drove off in the vehicle.
Police watched security footage and saw a man — Vanguilder — cross West Washington Street and enter the County Fair parking lot while the alleged victim was bent down by the rear passenger tire. Vanguilder paces behind the car for a short time.
The footage shows the victim stand up and walk to the air pump with his back to the car, then Vanguilder runs up to the driver’s side door, enters and drives out of the parking lot going north on Mechanic Street, according to court records.
Just prior to the car theft, police had been called to Tops Friendly Market for a trespassing report in which Vanguilder was the suspect, too, court records indicated.
The McKean County 911 Center contacted New York State Police because investigators believed Vanguilder might be traveling to their jurisdiction, the complaint stated.
Officers were informed of a motor vehicle accident in Allegany State Park in which the vehicle involved matched the description of the stolen car. A Bradford City officer told Salamanca (N.Y.) police the name of the suspect, and Salamanca police confirmed Vanguilder was in their custody, according to the complaint.
Court records stated that Vanguilder was taken to Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital for treatment of injuries he suffered in the accident.
He is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000, and a preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 16.
