Man admits to 222 crimes in 2023 massive theft spree
LANCASTER, PA – A Lancaster Township man has pleaded guilty to more than 200 thefts and burglaries committed during a three-month crime spree in late 2023 that left more than 90 victims across multiple townships.
On August 5, 29-year-old Johnathan Carlos Carmona of Hoover Road pleaded guilty before Judge Merrill Spahn to 222 felony and misdemeanor charges. His crimes included six counts of burglary, 61 counts of theft from motor vehicles, 45 counts of identity theft, 15 counts of receiving stolen property, and 13 counts of theft by unlawful taking.
Carmona’s crime spree stretched across West Lampeter, East Lampeter, Manheim, Manor, Lancaster, East Hempfield, West Hempfield, West Donegal, and Lower Swatara townships. Police say he committed thefts on 22 separate days between October and December 2023.
Stolen property included chainsaws, leaf blowers, power tools, electronics, wallets, purses, cash, checks, credit cards, and gift cards. Prosecutors said Carmona often sold the stolen items online. In one instance, he stole a 9mm handgun from a vehicle on Woodridge Drive in Lower Swatara Township.
Investigators also reported that Carmona sometimes photographed victims’ credit cards and personal information without physically stealing the cards. On other occasions, he entered vehicles and rummaged through belongings but left without taking anything valuable.
Carmona is set to be sentenced on November 17. As part of his punishment, he will be required to pay more than $13,000 in restitution to his victims.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chris Miller and investigated by Manheim Township Police Detective Jonathan Martin.
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Key Points
- Johnathan Carlos Carmona, 29, pleaded guilty to 222 theft-related charges from 2023
- Crime spree affected more than 90 victims across multiple Lancaster County townships
- Sentencing scheduled for November 17, with over $13,000 restitution ordered
