Apollo police chief hit with 4 felonies

Suspended Apollo police Chief Paul Breznican Jr. was taken in handcuffs to the Armstrong County Jail on Wednesday after state police charged him with four felonies related to his allegedly selling guns and other property belonging to the borough and others.

Breznican, 52, was released from jail after posting $25,000 bond set by Leechburg District Judge James Andring. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Andring on July 18.

State police had asked for a $50,000 bond.

Wearing an untucked white polo shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes, Breznican turned himself in around 2 p.m. at the state police station in East Franklin, where he was processed and fingerprinted. He was accompanied by his attorney, Greg Swank.

Before his hearing, state police allowed Breznican, who has a back injury, to be cuffed with his hands in front of him instead of behind his back. Breznican has been off duty collecting worker's compensation because of that injury.

Swank waived having the charges read and asked Andring for an unsecured bond. He said Breznican would not be a flight risk, citing his strong family ties to the local area and cooperation. He also noted that Breznican has never been arrested before and is a veteran, having served in the Marines.

Swank also said there would be security concerns with placing the police chief in the county jail. The costs of his medication would be shifted to the county, and his physical therapy would be put in jeopardy, Swank said.

Swank described Breznican as upset but stoic.

"He's confident he's done nothing wrong. He believes in the end he'll be exonerated," Swank said. "Our intention is to mount a vigorous defense to these charges."

Missing police property started probe

The investigation began with allegations that Breznican sold borough property, including a firearm bought with federal grant money, and kept the proceeds.

"It is with a heavy heart we announce the arrest of Chief Breznican," Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi said in a prepared statement. "Such actions are egregious when committed by any citizen, but are especially egregious when committed by someone entrusted to uphold the law."

State police said they began investigating Breznican after resident Mark Ford came to the state police station on June 6 to report allegations of Breznican selling police equipment.

Ford was dating then-Borough Manager Lori Weig-Tamasy, and said he was coming on her behalf because of her position with the borough.

Breznican has been at odds with Weig-Tamasy for some time.

Breznican was elected to borough council as a write-in candidate in November, with a stated intention of removing Weig-Tamasy as borough manager. As manager, Weig-Tamasy oversaw the borough's police department.

In a discrimination complaint Weig-Tamasy filed and has since withdrawn, Weig-Tamasy charged that Breznican would not accept supervision from a woman, or cooperate with her attempt to inventory police property.

An Armstrong County judge stopped Breznican from sitting on council, agreeing with the borough's claim that he can't serve as police chief and councilman at the same time.

Breznican is appealing that decision to the state Supreme Court.

The state's new borough code, which takes effect Monday, prohibits police officers from holding elected offices in the borough where they work.

Weig-Tamasy was permanently laid off by the borough June 15, after having accepted a settlement and release agreement.

State police said Ford told them Weig-Tamasy found weapons were missing from the police department after she began searching for items bought with grant money.

Weig-Tamasy declined comment Wednesday.

The allegations

According to the charges, Breznican:

• Sold to a Kiski Township man a Colt AR-15 rifle and a case of ammunition that Apollo had bought in February 2007 with federal grant money. State police have the weapon.

The borough paid $957 for the rifle, which Breznican allegedly sold for $700 "about two years ago." He told the buyer it was his personal weapon.

Breznican sold the rifle along with a case of .45-caliber auto ammunition. A case of such ammunition had also been bought with federal grant money.

Breznican sold the ammunition for $15 per box, which the buyer thought was odd because it retails for double that price.

On June 8, when interviewed by state police at his home, Breznican allegedly admitted having sold an AR-15.

• Sold borough property including a .22-caliber rifle, tear gas gun and a tear gas baton to Bob Shearer of RWS Arms in Apollo.

Breznican allegedly told Shearer that the borough had decided to get rid of those items.

He asked for cash, but Shearer wrote a check made out to Breznican for $250.

Shearer declined to comment when contacted Wednesday.

• Confiscated and later sold a 30-30 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun from a borough man whose family was concerned about his mental state in April 2006.

The man told state police Breznican was talking with him in his bedroom at his mother's home when Breznican saw the guns and said he was going to take them. The man told Breznican he was not going to hurt himself and did not want Breznican to take the weapons.

Breznican did not commit the man for mental health evaluation but took the guns anyway.

About two weeks later, the man said he saw Breznican at the Apollo Plaza and asked for his guns back.

Breznican allegedly said there was too much paperwork involved and "red tape," and gave him $100 cash in exchange.

A former borough police officer, Ron Baustert, told state police the guns were entered into evidence on May 3, 2006. He noticed they were gone about a week later.

State police found Breznican sold a 30-30 rifle to Bee's Guns in Bell Township that same week.

Owner Kenneth Bee told state police Breznican had sold him a Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun that Breznican told him was from a suicide.

Bee could not be reached for comment.

Also, on July 5 Apollo Councilman Darhl Goldinger told state police that borough council wanted Breznican charged with theft for not returning police equipment bought by the borough.

Goldinger told investigators that the borough has not found any receipts indicating Breznican had returned funds to the borough from property that he sold.

Two items, which were not specified, were valued at $1,500 and never returned by Breznican.

Mayor Rich Dixon and his predecessor told state police Breznican never had approval to sell any of the police department's property. If property was sold, none of the proceeds ever came back to the borough, they said.

Suspension preceded arrest

Dixon suspended Breznican with pay June 14, citing insubordination to former Borough Manager Weig-Tamasy and conduct unbecoming an officer for being under criminal investigation. Council continued the suspension on June 28.

Ford, the man who initially alerted police, released a statement last night.

"The state police and the district attorney would not have issued an indictment if the facts and evidence were not believed to be valid," Ford said. "I think this activity has been the hidden catalyst for many of the problems in that borough.

"If any good is to come of this, it will give the elected officials an opportunity to start fresh and to take the borough in the right direction."

Borough Solicitor Chuck Pascal said the allegations are against Breznican only, and that there is no reason for the public to lose trust in the borough's police department.

"The residents of Apollo should feel confident in the police department," he said. "No other officers have been implicated in any way."

Breznican is charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and official oppression. All are second-degree felonies.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Assistant City Editor Dave Williams contributed to this report. He can be reached at dwilliams@tribweb.com .