Theft charges against Bradford man bound to court

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

Matthew G. Confer, 25, of Bradford, is charged with theft by unlawful taking a third-degree felony; theft from a motor vehicle, a third-degree misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a summary charge.

According to the criminal complaint, at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, someone went to the Bradford City Police Station to report that a man with a knife was trying to break into vehicles in the Tops Friendly Market parking lot.

During the investigation at the scene, police learned that Confer allegedly tried to break into at least two vehicles. A driver’s side handle lock had been broken off one vehicle, and police found Confer’s knife in the ignition of another vehicle, according to the complaint.

The complaint also stated that Confer stole an ID tag out of one of the vehicles, pinned it to his shirt and pretended that he was the person in the tag.

Confer remains incarcerated in McKean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Among other preliminaries held Wednesday was one for Brandon J. McKinney, 33, of Bradford, which was held before District Judge Richard Luther.

Court records indicate that one misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person was withdrawn, while the other charges were bound to McKean County Court. Those charges that McKinney still faces are make repairs/sell/etc. offensive weapon, a first-degree misdemeanor; DUI-general impairment, a misdemeanor; driving a suspended/revoked license related to DUI, a third-degree misdemeanor; and several summary charges.

The criminal complaint alleges that in the early morning hours on May 16 on Harrisburg Run in Foster Township, McKinney, who was under the influence of alcohol, intentionally struck another person’s pickup truck with his own pickup truck. He then allegedly drove to Bradford City.

McKinney is free, having posted $10,000 bail.

Cody B. Hauber, 21, of Eldred, waived a preliminary hearing for assault charges on Wednesday before Luther.

Hauber is charged with strangulation, a second-degree felony; simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor; and harassment, a summary charge.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 9, Hauber got into a fight with his grandmother. During the argument, he allegedly grabbed her by the arm, leaving a bruise, and put both hands around her throat, impeding her breathing.

Hauber is free, having posted $15,000 bail.