On July 25th, 2021 at 4:30 pm the Newport Police Department was dispatched to the Newport Starbucks on the report of an Armed Robbery that had just occurred. The victim, 68-year old Thomas Lawrence Yuma of Newport, report he was robbed by John Thomas Bradford and that Bradford had brandished a knife and held it to Yuma’s throat. Yuma reported Bradford had demanded Yuma’s money, which Yuma handed over. Newport Police, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office, and Pac-West Ambulance all responded to the scene.
Bradford was located and ultimately arrested for Robbery 2 and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. On July 26th, 2021 video evidence, which was not available the day of the incident, was provided to the Newport Police that discredited Yuma’s report he had been robbed at knife point. The Newport Police reported the new evidence to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office and charges against Bradford were dismissed. On July 27th, 2021 @ about 0845 hours, Newport officers located Yuma and arrested him For Initiating a False Report.
