LITITZ, Pa. — An escapee from a work release program at Lebanon County Prison was apprehended Wednesday during a traffic stop in northern Lancaster County, police said.
Anthony Umbenhauer, 36, failed to return to Lebanon County Prison on May 30, 2023, after he was granted a travel pass on a work release program, authorities said.
Umbenhauer was arrested in 2018 for his role in a spree of thefts from motor vehicles, according to FOX43 records.
He was found Wednesday by Northern Lancaster County Regional Police when officers conducting a traffic detail on the 500 block of Furnace Hills Pike noticed a state inspection sticker violation on the vehicle he was driving at 10:55 a.m.
The officer pulled the vehicle over and questioned the driver, who allegedly provided a false name multiple times after being informed he was the subject of a police investigation.
His passenger, identified as Melody Anne Umbenhauer, 35, of Lebanon, attempted to hide Anthony Umbenhauer's identity from police and also provided false information, police said.
During a search of the vehicle, police found a card linked to Anthony Umbenhauer's true identity. A record search indicated he still had an active arrest warrant for his alleged escape, so police took him into custody.
He was charged with providing false information to police and with driving under a suspended license, police said.
Melody Unbenhauer was also charged with a count of hindering apprehension or prosecution, according to police.
Both suspects were arraigned before Joseph C. Stauffer.