Franklin Man Accused of Unauthorized Use of Motorcycle

| August 14, 2022

SANDYCREEK TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man is facing charges for reportedly operating an area man’s motorcycle without permission.

According to court documents, Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 20-year-old Austin Wayne Sanford in Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office on August 12.

PSP Franklin was contacted by a known Sandy Lake man around 3:46 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2022, regarding his motorcycle sitting at Pone Lane and Pittsburgh Road at a convenience store and being operated by Austin Sanford. The known Sandy Lake man reported that he did not give anyone permission to operate his motorcycle, according to the complaint.

Police ran the vehicle through PennDOT, and records indicated the motorcycle was registered to the known Sandy Lake man.

The known man reported that the motorcycle was at a relative’s residence on South Penn Road in Sandycreek Township, Venango County. He said the operator of the motorcycle gave him the name of Austin Sanford, handed him the key to the motorcycle, and took off east behind the store, according to the complaint.

A PennDOT search of Sanford revealed a suspected driver’s license with no Class M (motorcycle license). Sanford was seen walking on Miller Road toward Pone Lane and was questioned by police regarding the incident. He allegedly related that he did take the motorcycle and did not have permission from anybody to do so, according to the complaint.

Police interviewed a woman at the residence on South Penn Road in Sandycreek Township, and she indicated that nobody had permission to be operating any of the vehicles on the property. She said that she believed the motorcycle to be sitting in the shed behind her residence. She also related that Sanford lets her dogs out and had access to the residence, the complaint states.

Sanford was arraigned at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, in front of Judge Kirtland on the following charges:

– Unauthorized Use of Motor/Other Vehicles, Misdemeanor 2
– Improper Use of License, Summary
– Operator Privilege Suspended/Revoked-Substance Offense, Summary
– Driving Without a License, Summary

He is currently free on $2,500.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 17 in Venango County Central Court with Judge Kirtland presiding.


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