A Bradford man was arrested Wednesday night on allegations that he stole a car from the parking lot of McDonald’s.
James F. Hochstine, 45, of 29 Clarence St., was arraigned before District Judge William Todd on charges of theft by unlawful taking, a third-degree felony; flight to avoid apprehension, a second-degree misdemeanor; loitering and prowling at night time, a third-degree misdemeanor; DUI, a misdemeanor; and summary charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
According to court records, at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, Bradford City police officers were dispatched to McDonald’s for a report of a car theft. Hochstine allegedly jumped into the driver’s seat of a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and pulled onto Main Street toward South Avenue.
The husband and son of the woman who called followed the Monte Carlo to a driveway on Jefferson Street. The husband tried to restrain Hochstine, who pulled away by slipping out of his coat, losing his hat in the process. Hochstine began to run south on Jefferson Street and out of sight, court records stated.
Police officers followed footprints from Jefferson Street through several yards that led to a 29 Clarence St., court records state. No one answered the door when police knocked and rang the doorbell, but the entryway led to another door that led into the residence. Police found Hochstine by the inner door to the home. The inner door was locked, and Hochstine called to his mother multiple times to open the door.
Eventually the homeowner answered the door, and Hochstine ran inside, court records state. Police explained to the homeowner that Hochstine was wanted both on a bench warrant and a vehicle theft investigation, and the man let officers in. Police found Hochstine on the back porch trying to hide and took him into custody, according to court records.
The victims met police at the police station, and they brought a hat and told police Hochstine had slipped out of his sweatshirt and his hat fell off. Hochstine had told officers that he lost his coat, hat and wallet during the night. An officer took the hat to Hochstine’s cell, and Hochstine said it was his hat.
Also, “Hochstine stated several times to officers that he is very drunk,” court records stated. Police asked Hochstine, who had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and trouble walking, if he would submit to a blood test at Bradford Regional Medical Center, and “he stated that he would but he hasn’t driven anywhere.”
Hochstine was taken to BRMC, where he filled out paperwork. When the lab technician asked Hochstine to have a seat for his blood to be drawn, “Hochstine stated that we wouldn’t be taking any blood from him,” court records state.
Police took Hochstine back to the station, and he allegedly refused to sign a form stating that he was refusing to submit to a blood draw.
Bail was set at $50,000, and Hochstine is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Thursday.
