A man captured by police over the weekend in Bradford for a New York state parole violation and for questioning in a vehicle theft case has been criminally charged for his alleged getaway.
Nicholas Allen Zentz, 21, of 183 Congress St., Bradford, was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge David Engman on one charge of flight to avoid apprehension, a third-degree felony, court records stated. The case is filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Dominic Cercone.
Court records said at 3:14 p.m. Saturday, Bradford City Police were searching for Zentz on a felony warrant issued by New York State Corrections and Community Supervision, as well as for questioning in alleged motor vehicle theft incidents in both Bradford and North Carolina.
Police received a tip to search East Main Street, where they spotted him walking with his girlfriend. An officer pulled over in his police vehicle, got out and asked Zentz to come over. Zentz complied, and the officer placed his hand on Zentz’s shoulder and told him he was under arrest.
Zentz broke away, despite the officer ordering Zentz to stop and trying to use a Taser on him, then Zentz ran into a wooded area up the hill from East Main Street, court records indicated.
Officers from multiple departments set up a perimeter and brought in bloodhound tracking dogs to aid in the search. Officers searched for several miles, but stopped when it got dark to keep officers safe.
A civilian later tipped off officials that Zentz was spotted on Hilton Street, and at 9:57 p.m. Saturday, Bradford City Police pursued him on foot, cornering him in a fenced in area along Hilton Street, according to court records. Three officers took Zentz into custody.
Court records indicated Zentz had gone to multiple states trying to avoid capture.
He was incarcerated in McKean County Jail in Smethport in lieu of $25,000 bail on the new charge, and is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Nov. 10.
No charges were filed as of press time in McKean County related to the vehicle theft allegations.
