Vehicle theft charges against a Bradford were bound to McKean County Court at a preliminary hearing held Wednesday before District Judge Dominic Cercone.

James F. Hochstine, 45, of 29 Clarence St., is charged with 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 public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

According to court records, on the night of Dec. 27, Hochstine jumped into the driver’s seat of a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was parked at McDonald’s in Bradford and pulled onto Main Street toward South Avenue.

A woman reported the theft to police, while her husband and son followed Hochstine to Jefferson Street. Hochstine slipped away from the husband when he tried to restain Hochstine, and police were able to follow Hochstine’s footprints to his Jefferson Street home.

Police took Hochstine into custody on the back porch, where he was trying to hide from them, court records stated. Hochstine allegedly told police several times that he was very drunk, but he refused to submit to a blood draw.

He is free, having posted $5,000 bail.