Apollo police chief to face trial on stolen firearms charges

APOLLO, Pa. — The Apollo police chief who was arrested in July on charges he sold a firearm purchased with federal grant money and pocketed the cash will go to trial.

Following a two-hour preliminary hearing Thursday, Ford City District Judge Gary DeComo held Breznican for court on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and bribery.

Investigators said they arrested Breznican after they concluded from an investigation that he sold the gun bought with federal funds and then kept the money from the sale of the property owned by Apollo Borough.

The state Attorney General’s office, which is prosecuting the case, called about 10 witnesses, including former Apollo Off. Ron Baustert, who testified he saw several firearms in an evidence case in 2006 that later went missing. Ken Bee, who owns Bee’s Guns near Saltsburg, testified he purchased those same guns from Breznican that year.

Several charges were withdrawn regarding .45-caliber ammunition and items related to the department’s K9 unit after Deputy Attorney General Kristine Ricketts said there was insufficient evidence.

Breznican, who has been suspended from his position, remains free on bond pending trial.

Defense attorney Gregory Swank said Breznican maintains he's innocent and will contest the charges.

WPXI