Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – The suspect in the kidnapping of a Sheffield couple was arraigned on multiple felony charges on Monday.
Michael Charles Burham, 34, of Ashville, New York was arraigned by District Judge Raymond Zydonik at the Warren County Jail in the kidnapping of David E. Anundson and Jessica S. Anundson of Sheffield on May 20.
Bail was set at $1,000,000.
Burham, who is also set to be charged in the homicide of Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, NY, faces eight felonies in Warren County, including two counts each of kidnapping and aggravated assault, and individual counts of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and criminal trespass.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Katherine S. Dysinger contacted Warren-based Pennsylvania State Police regarding her parents, David E. Anundson and Jessica S. Anundson on May 20 at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Dysinger advised she checked the residence of her parents’ home in Sheffield Township after they failed to show up at their granddaughter’s soccer game which they were slated to attend.
After gathering necessary information, troopers generated a Missing/Endangered Persons Alert for the couple.
“Anundson related that they had been kidnapped at gunpoint from their residence,” the affidavit said. “David and Jessica Anundson state they were able to identify Michael C. Burham based on recent media reports of Burham being wanted for questioning related to a homicide and arson by the City of Jamestown Police Department.”
Based on further information provided by the Anundsons, it is also believed Burham was staying on the Sheffield property or nearby for approximately one week.
“The defendant did steal the victims’ 2022 Silver Honda CRV with no intent to restore it to the victims, knowing the vehicle was stolen by using the fear of serious bodily injury or death,” the Criminal Complaint stated.
On May 21 at approximately 6:34 a.m., PSP Warren was contacted by troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, who relayed that the Anundsons had been located at a cemetery in the North Charleston, S.C. area.
