A second man has been charged in the alleged arson of a pick-up truck on Songbird Road in June.
James S. Hammond Jr., 39, of Somerset, was arraigned Friday before District Judge Richard Luther on charges of arson-danger of death or bodily injury, a first-degree felony; criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and risking catastrophe, all third-degree felonies.
According to the criminal complaint, at 7:55 p.m. June 29, Bradford Township Police were dispatched for a report of possible gunfire along Songbird Road. Just after the gunshot-like noise was heard, an extended vehicle horn could be heard from the same area.
The noises were coming from a burning pick-up truck, and the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched.
During a preliminary search of the area, police discovered footprints that led from the vehicle heading east toward the Bradford school bus garage through the woods to Songbird Road, and a human tracking search dog was brought in to assist, the complaint stated.
Investigators believed the fire was suspicious, and a Pennsylvania state police fire marshal was brought in to investigate. The fire marshal determined that the truck — a 2013 Toyota Tacoma that had been reported stolen out of Houston, Pa. — had been intentionally set on fire.
According to court records, multiple witnesses reported seeing two men walking in areas including Songbird Road and Owens Way toward the Blaisdell-Emery Trail. Surveillance footage showed the two men at the Kwik Fill gas station on South Avenue, which is just off the Blaisdell-Emery Trail.
Through investigation, police determined that Hammond and James E. Bunce Sr., 32, were the two men in the video, the criminal complaint states. They allegedly received a ride from the Kwik Fill.
The tracking dog also tracked the scent from the truck fire site to the spot where the two men were picked up, court records stated.
Hammond’s bail was set at $100,000, and he is set to appear in Central Court on Thursday. He is incarcerated in McKean County Jail.
Bunce was arrested in August on arson charges, and he has asked that the case go to trial.
Hammond, Bunce and a third man, Michael Randolph, 45, are all facing criminal charges for allegations that they used the truck during a burglary the night before it was set on fire. Bunce has a last day to plea conference in the burglary case scheduled for March 21, and Hammond and Randolph have conferences set for April 18.
Randolph has not been accused in the subsequent arson.
