A Bradford Township neighborhood hasn’t had home mail delivery since April 13 because of “safety concerns” allegedly involving a resident facing sentencing and further criminal court action for menacing behavior.
Residents told Erie News Now on Friday that Rick Yovichin, 59, of 662 South Ave., is the focus of concerns after he allegedly leaned into a Postal Service vehicle and threatened a mail carrier.
“The Post Office handled the investigation in-house,” Bradford Township Police Chief Robb Shipman told The Era late Friday. “They had an investigator come up from Pittsburgh and meet with the neighbors to determine the safest action.”
A spokesman of the Postal Service didn’t immediately return a call to The Era late Friday.
Shipman said his department was not asked to investigate the allegations. He was informed of the proposed solution to the mail delivery issue, so the residents don’t have to drive to the Bradford Post Office to pick up their mail.
“They are going to install a community box,” the chief said, referring to a freestanding mail box with locked compartments which would be located in the neighborhood.
Shipman said residents in that area have expressed their fear of Yovichin.
“Several neighbors have told me they are fearful of his actions, both past and what he may do in the future,” the chief said.
Pat Gorman, a resident of the South Avenue neighborhood in question, told the Erie News station, “I’m 73 years old and I’ve never, ever heard of a neighborhood being held hostage in this fashion. It just leads you to believe that we’re dealing with a person who is just a little shaky, and you don’t know at what point things are going to escalate.”
However, Yovichin, who spoke briefly to The Era late Friday, said the Erie station did not contact him for their story, and that no one has a reason to fear him.
He denied any altercation with a mail carrier, and said on the advice of his attorney he wouldn’t comment further on the alleged altercation. Attorney John Thomas contacted The Era shortly thereafter, and said the only statement his client would make was this: “He unequivocally denies any wrongdoing.”
Currently, Yovichin is awaiting sentencing in McKean County Court — which is set for May 9 — after being found guilty by a jury of recklessly endangering another person and propulsion of missiles onto roadway.
Court documents filed at the time he was first charged indicated that Yovichin, who was living at 662 South Ave., shot a rifle from his driveway toward residences and property directly across the road. Security camera footage allegedly showed Yovichin carrying a long gun and pointing it toward U.S. Route 219 and toward houses across the street, and multiple witnesses reported hearing and/or seeing shots being fired.
A second case against Yovichin — also for allegations of harassing conduct toward neighbors — is still pending.
The second case was filed shortly after the first, and he faces 21 counts including stalking, terroristic threats, retaliation against a witness or victim, disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal mischief.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the second case, Yovichin is accused of action including pointing a gun at a neighbor, sounding a game call at neighbors, shining a laser or light at neighbors, piling snow at the end of his driveway so high neighbors could not see to pull out, making a gun with his fingers, painting things on snow banks facing neighbors’ homes and growling at neighbor children.
On Friday, Shipman said police still get called to that neighborhood often.
“They are not only him as the actor,” he said. “They are neighbor-dispute type things. There are still ongoing neighbor altercations. We’ve had no serious incidents of crime” in recent months, the chief said.
As far as when people should summon police in general, Shipman said, “If they feel their safety is at risk and a crime has been committed against them, they need to call 9-1-1.”
