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WEST PITTSTON — Already facing numerous felony charges, Joseph Lombardo now faces even more stemming from an slew of armed robberies he allegedly committed in January.

Lombardo, 39, was arraigned on Friday on charges stemming from his alleged armed robbery at Friendly Food Mart, during which Lombardo allegedly got into a phsyical altercation with an employee. Lombardo is also accused of stealing a truck on the same day of his arrest.

Lombardo also was recently arraigned on charges stemming from another armed robbery he is accused of committing.

According to criminal complaints, police were dispatched to the Friendly Food Mart on Wyoming Avenue in West Pittston at 4:17 p.m. on Jan. 24 for a report of an armed robbery. The owner and store clerk, Ajay Patel, told police that he was standing behind the counter when a man, later identified as Lombardo, entered the store and allegedly pointed a gun at him.

Lombardo allegedly told Patel, “Give me the money, I have a gun,” but Patel told Lombardo that he had no money. Lombardo then ran behind the counter and allegedly pistol-whipped Patel, striking him in the left eye.

After being struck, Patel opened the cash register’s drawer and tried to tackle Lombardo as he allegedly began taking the money. Lombardo allegedly struck Patel again with his firearm, and then punched him several times in the back of the head.

Lombardo then fled the store with approximately $360, police said.

Two days later, on Jan. 26, police were dispatched to 33 Lacoe Street at 12:35 p.m. for a reported of a stolen vehicle. The owner reported that his 1990 Ford F350 truck, which he had been storing at his brother’s construction business, had been stolen.

Lombardo was arrested that day on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre by city police. During an interview with police, Lombardo allegedly admitted to the robbery at Friendly Food Mart. Lombardo claimed that the clerk “went at him” and struck him.

Police also found the “handgun” that Lombardo allegedly used for the robberies and determined that it was a pellet gun.

During an interview with police following his arrest, Lombardo allegedly admitted to stealing the truck and using it for a robbery in Plains Township. Lombardo is accused of robbing the Uni-Mart on North Main Street in Hilldale on Jan. 26.

The vehicle later became disabled when he allegedly drove it to Wilkes-Barre.

Lombardo was arraigned on the new charges Friday before District Judge Joseph Carmody. His charges include robbery, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats and possession of an instrument of crime with intent.

Lombardo is scheduled for preliminary hearings before Carmody at 9 a.m. Feb. 17. He is also scheduled for other arraignments before other district judges on a number of other charges.

Lombardo remains jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility

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By Travis Kellar

[email protected]

Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews