A man who fled from Bradford City police officers when they tried to arrest him on a warrant Friday afternoon is in McKean County Jail.
James L. Nitsos, 34, of 101 Main St., Bradford, was arraigned Monday before District Judge William Todd on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, a third-degree felony; possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.
According to the criminal complaint, at 2:54 p.m. Friday, Bradford City Police learned that Nitsos, who had an active warrant for his arrest, was spotted walking on Main Street.
Police stated in a press release that Nitsos was a wanted fugitive on the run from state parole.
An officer drove to the location, got out of the patrol car and said something to Nitsos. Nitsos looked back at the officer, who motioned with his hand for Nitsos to come over. Nitsos turned and ran down south on Festival Way toward St. Bernard Church, and the officer started to chase him, the complaint stated.
According to court records, the officer chased Nitsos along the west side of the church, then in front of the Comfort Inn. Another officer arrived in a patrol car with the emergency lights and siren activated. The second officer drove in front of Nitsos, then exited the car and started giving Nitsos verbal commands.
Nitsos continued to refuse to obey orders, and, as he started to reach for a plastic bag with items inside that was on the ground, officers took him to the ground and took him into custody, the complaint indicated.
According to court records, officers took several plastic bags containing white prescription pills from Nitsos pants pocket. Also, they took a black fanny pack he was wearing that contained the following: small plastic baggies containing suspected methamphetamine, 17 yellow prescription containers of 8 mg buprenorphine/naloxone/sublingual film, three Visa cards belonging to other people, a driver’s license, someone else’s medical marijuana card, 14.4 grams of meth and a digital scale with a white powder on it.
Nitsos is in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, and he is also incarcerated on a detainer from state parole, police stated.
A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 30.
