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Breaking News - Morrisville Borough

Breaking: Morrisville Vote to Fire Suspended Corporal Fails; Pitcher Attorney Calls it “Inappropriate” & “Unjust”

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A Morrisville Borough Council motion to fire suspended with pay Corporal Michael Pitcher Tuesday night failed in a tied vote. 

The police veteran is currently on paid suspension as he awaits his trial scheduled for March 24 at 9 a.m in Doylestown.

Debate about the number of police officers employed and working the streets of the borough has been an ongoing issue reaching pitch levels just before election day and as the current new council majority was sworn in this past January.

The new council voted to approve a recent full time hire of an officer who was furloughed in 2019.

Chief of Police, George McClay has been pushing for Pitcher’s termination since last July, multiple sources have repeatedly said throughout last year. He has increased pressure for the move to be made after a new council majority took power last month.

McClay has intimated a number of times on the record firing Pitcher would be helpful to the department in terms of staffing and police presence voicing concerns for community safety.

McClay said he was “frustrated” with council’s stance last year when they voted to suspend Pitcher instead of terminating him.

At the time, the chief said “We are maintaining our manpower on the street to service our citizens while being at very minimal staffing levels.”

Morrisville’s labor attorney, solicitor, past and present officials were concerned with the optics involved in firing the officer and approved suspending him instead.  The potentiality for a law suit filed against the borough for wrongful termination was and still remains a concern. Some council members have referred to the situations as having a  “ghost employee” on the payroll, which officials said tied their hands with replacing the slot on the police manning table.

Borough Solicitor, Flager & Associates, PC representative Michael Levine said, the only action for council to take at the time was to suspend Pitcher with pay because the officer has due process rights citing the Confidence in Law Enforcement Act -signed into law in January 2009. The measure enables municipalities to take action when a public safety officer is accused of a crime.

Firing him was not an option, then, but with a new majority in place that stance is now changed, or so many thought.

Council President Ted Parker, vice president Robert Paul, Scott Robinson, and Helen Hlahol voted for the motion as members Justin Bowers, Mike Yager, Eileen Dreisbach and Nancy Sherlock voted against the motion.

Levine said Morrisville’s Mayor, who was in support of the motion, could not vote on the motion because he oversees the department.

Prior to the vote, Ravella commended the motion and spoke of the cost savings that could come the borough’s way.

Councilman Scott Robinson said before the vote that it was a bold decision that needed to be made.

Pitcher’s Attorney , Louis Busico said Tuesday night after learning of councils planned item agenda, “Michael Pitcher nearly lost his life protecting the citizens of Bucks County; to attempt to terminate his employment in this fashion-prior to any conclusion of his pending case is highly inappropriate and in my opinion unjust.”

Attempts to reach Prosecutor for the Attorney Generals office for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday night.

McClay did not respond to an after meeting request for comment Tuesday night.

An update to this developing story is expected  Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking News - Morrisville Borough

Morrisville Boro Police Reports: Passed-Out Driver Arrested for DUI, $14K in Stolen Tools/Work Equip and More!!!

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Morrisville Borough Police Reports – Feb 24 2026 – March 2 2026

Arrest/Warrant-02/24/26 @2028-Kashonn McGill, age 22, was dropped off at HQ’s from Mercer County Correctional Facility on a warrant out of our Department. He was arraigned and remanded to BCP on $5000,000 cash bail.

Theft from vehicle-02/24/26 @0330-Approximately $4,000 worth of power tools were stolen from the victim’s van located in the 600 block of Hillcrest Ave. Video shows a male in all dark clothing and a dark colored sedan following the suspect.

Theft from vehicle-02/24/26 @1209-Over $10,000 worth of equipment and tools stolen from the victim’s vehicle located in the block of 300 W. Bridge St. The window was broken out of the vehicle.

Warrant for Arrest-02/25/26 @1538-A female had a warrant issued for her arrest for Terroristic Threats, Simple Assault, Firearms offense, and Disorderly Conduct for an incident that occurred on 2/25/26

Theft of Catalytic Converter-02/26/26 @1510-Ben’s Deli reported between 0500-0800 this morning, the catalytic converter was stolen off their work van, estimated to be $2800.00 to repair.

Retail Theft/Arrest-02/26/26 @1708-Kevin Dobboh, age 40, Police responded to Dollar Tree for a retail theft in progress, police located and detained the male identified as Kevin Dobboh, who had three active felony warrants from Falls Twp. Falls Twp. took custody of him, and this department will file charges accordingly for the $22.00 retail theft.

DUI/Arrest-02/28/26 @1242-Johan Peralta Valenzuela, age 30, was taken into custody for a DUI after he was found unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle, which was located in front of Nebula Hookah Lounge. He was processed and released pending a summons.

Theft of a Cell Phone-03/01/26 @1547-Victim’s cell phone was stolen after he left it in the bathroom at Dunkin. The value of the phone is $120.00.

Fraud-03/02/26 @1433-Victim reported having paid $200.00 for a puppy online, and it was determined to be a Fraudulent Facebook page.

Arrest/Warrant-03/02/26 @0943-A female turned herself in on her active warrant. She was processed at HQ’s and arraigned. Bail was set at 10% of $75,000 and remanded to BCP.

 

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Breaking News - Morrisville Borough

Morrisville Fire Damages Home of the “Best Neighbors”

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If something good can come from a house fire that good was discovered in Morrisville Borough Sunday afternoon.

Fire crews were dispatched to the 100 block of Harrison Avenue at about 3:45 with reports of heavy fire showing at a 3-story twin home.

Early reports said that upon arrival firefighters discovered the fire had compromised the stairway inside the home.

Erica Jean Sulock the apparent homeowner was effusive in her praise for the response by first responders and the support of her neighbors.

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“From the bottom of our hearts we thank every firefighter, police officer, and neighbor!!! For the neighbors…your support was overwhelming and so appreciated. Leon, the dog, and I are safe and warm,” she said.

Cailin Rose called the homeowners “the absolute best neighbors.”

Morrisville Borough fire officials, as of publication time, have not released any information on yesterday’s fire.

But it is clear from the social media posts, yesterday’s fire brought that section of the borough closer together.

 

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Breaking News - Morrisville Borough

Morrisville School District Shelter in Place Was Due to “Possible Shooting Threat” at High School.

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A Friday afternoon shelter in place (SIP) order in Morrisville School District was due to a possible shooting threat involving the borough high school, police said which remains under investigation, authorities said.

At approximately 1453 hours The Morrisville Borough Police Department was notified of a threat made to the  Morrisville High School, furthermore this report indicated that there was possibly going to be a shooting at the school, Chief of Police Rich Ciampa said in a release. 

Police responded to the area and observed a large number of students and parents in the area due to dismissal. It  was at this time, with limited information and the height of this potential threat, it was decided to place the Morrisville  High School, Grandview Elementary School, and Holy Trinity School on lock down until police could confirm the  credibility and seriousness of these reported threats, Ciampa said., 

While trying to ensure the safety of the students, staff, and parents of students for three schools while making  proper notification to surrounding jurisdictions, police were able to investigate and conduct interviews leading to the  conclusion that there was no active threat to any of the schools and or the students/staff, Ciampa said. 

Parents were alarmed by the SIP order as they were making there way to district schools and were told to wait in their vehicles in somes cases, according a number of social media posts. 

“Thanks to the swift cooperation of our school professionals and the dedicated efforts of the Morrisville Borough Police, the matter was quickly resolved and the lockdown at both schools has now been lifted. The safety of our students, staff, and families will always remain our highest priority. We are grateful for the professionalism, communication, and care shown by everyone involved,” said Mayor Gary Wallace.

This matter is still being investigated by the Morrisville authorities. 

Anyone with any further  information on this matter please contact Officer DeLuca (A.DeLuca@Morrisvillepolice.org).  You can also submit a confidential tip to police by clicking this link. 

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