Man charged with threatening staff and disrupting office of Bucks County state legislator

A 65-year-old man who allegedly threatened the staff of a Republican state legislator from Bucks County and attempted to trash her district office remained jailed Thursday after a judge ordered that his criminal case should proceed to trial.

Donald F. Ambrose, of Bensalem Township, was unable to post 10% of his $200,000 bail and was being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on one count of terroristic threats and two counts each of disorderly conduct and harassment.

On June 9, Ambrose allegedly entered the district office of State Rep. Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson in Bensalem Township “aggressively shouting about an ongoing medical malpractice issue,” the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said.

Ambrose allegedly had been to Tomlinson’s office before several times, “making outlandish comments before leaving,” the district attorney’s office said.

“On this occasion, Ambrose became aggressive, grabbing paperwork off the desk of one of the employees and then scattering the papers while continuing to scream and yell. Ambrose was told by staff that law enforcement was being called, and he allegedly pointed at a staff member and stated, ‘you’re dead,’ before exiting the building,” the district attorney’s office said, citing the criminal complaint.

“Once outside, Ambrose retrieved a gasoline can from his vehicle and began walking around the perimeter of the office building, causing employees inside to fear he intended to set the building on fire,” the district attorney’s office said.

On Friday, Tomlinson posted a statement on social media acknowledging the incident, saying she was in Harrisburg when Ambrose allegedly “began trying to destroy the [Bensalem Township] office and then proceeded to threaten the life of a member of my staff.”

Tomlinson added: “We live in a very unsettling time, especially as public servants. Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have experienced a hostile encounter in just a few short months which is completely unacceptable.”

Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said in a statement Thursday: “Public servants should never have to fear for their safety simply for doing their jobs. My office takes these actions incredibly seriously, and we will continue to hold accountable anyone who uses fear or threats to disrupt our community and target those who serve the public.”

Tomlinson, 37, was elected in 2020 and is the daughter of former State Sen. Robert M. “Tommy” Tomlinson.