A Bradford man is in McKean County Jail for an alleged 2024 auto theft in Bradford for which he was arrested after a police chase in Tennessee.

Christopher Salonis, 49, of East Main Street, is charged with 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 April 13, 2024, the victim contacted Bradford City Police to report her car had been taken by Salonis. She had loaned it to him, but he did not give it back and more than a month had passed. Multiple attempts to contact him were made, to no avail.

By May 2024, when it hadn’t been returned, police entered it as stolen into a national database.

On June 1, 2024, Bradford police were contacted by Cheatham County Police in Ashland City, Tenn. They had attempted to stop the car, but it did not stop, led police on a chase and ended up crashing, totaling the victim’s car before fleeing on foot. He was apprehended and taken into custody.

Police said he’s been incarcerated in Tennessee since then. He was extradited back to Pennsylvania and arraigned Friday before District Judge Rich Luther, and sent to McKean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

He is scheduled for Central Court on Thursday.

Christopher Salonis