Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WEST PITTSTON — Borough police today arrested and charged the brother of Joseph Lombardo and a woman with hindering the apprehension of the armed robbery suspect.

Vincent Lombardo, 30, of 530 Exeter Ave., West Pittston, and Tracyann Franklin, 34, of 1367 Penn Ave., Scranton, were charged with one felony count each of hindering apprehension by harboring or concealing and one felony count each of hindering apprehension by providing aid.

They were arraigned before District Judge David Barilla. Lombardo was released on his own recognizance. Unable to post $10,000 bail, Franklin was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

According to court records:

West Pittston Patrolman Joseph DeMark was on patrol in the area of 530 Exeter Ave. at about 11:50 p.m. Monday when he observed a gold GMC Acadia parked in the rear parking lot of the apartment building.

The Acadia matched the description of a vehicle involved in a high-speed pursuit earlier in West Pittston and was allegedly operated by Joseph Lombardo, who was wanted for several robberies. Luzerne County 911 confirmed that the vehicle was involved in the pursuit based on the license plate.

DeMark radioed for additional units to assist. Pittston City Police Patrolman Sam DiSimone arrived and the officers went to apartment 101, where Joseph Lombardo was residing; they searched the apartment and were unable to locate him.

DeMark spoke with Vincent Lombardo and Franklin and they both stated that they drove Joseph Lombardo almost to Delaware Water Gap, where they pulled over to the side of the highway near East Stroudsburg, and Joseph exited their vehicle and walked away on foot.

Vincent Lombardo then told police that they pulled away and drove back to 530 Exeter Ave., and he and Franklin both acknowledged that they were aware that Joseph was wanted by law enforcement. DeMark had Bovani’s Towing tow the Acadia and secure it at their facility.

Pittston City Police Patrolman Sam DiSimone advised both Vincent Lombardo and Franklin that Joseph was wanted and if they know where he is or provide false information, they would be arrested for hindering his apprehension or prosecution.

Then on Tuesday at about 12:35 p.m., Sgt. Samuel Fuller was dispatched to 33 Lacoe St., about a half mile from the Lombardo apartment, for a report of a stolen vehicle — a white 1990 Ford F350 stolen sometime between 3 p.m. Monday and 12:35 p.m. Tuesday.

After Joseph Lombardo was apprehended on at approximately 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, he admitted to stealing the Ford F350 at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday and drove it to Wilkes-Barre, where it was later recovered and impounded.

Tracyann Franklin
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Franklin_Tracyann-4.jpg.optimal.jpgTracyann Franklin

Vincent Lombardo
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Lombardo_Vincent-4.jpg.optimal.jpgVincent Lombardo

By Steve Mocarsky

[email protected]

Reach Steve Mocarsky at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @TLSteveMocarsky.