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<p>PITTSTON &#8212; Joseph Lombardo, who has already <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/515821/man-accused-of-several-armed-robberies-heading-to-higher-court" target="_blank">waived several charges to higher court</a> in connection with a string of armed robberies, agreed Wednesday to face even more in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.</p><p>Lombardo, 39, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz via video conference from the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for a preliminary hearing. He waived a single felony robbery count to higher court, while misdemeanor charges of possession of a weapon, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property were withdrawn.</p><p>The charges stem from Lombardo&#8217;s alleged involvement in the <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/504629/police-armed-robbery-reported-hours-after-it-happened" target="_blank">robbery of a U.S. Gas Mini Mart</a> at Main Street and Coxton Road in Duryea at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. Police said the suspect, later identified as Lombardo, allegedly brandished a knife and demanded the clerk give him the money from the register. Police said the clerk opened the register for Lombardo, who allegedly removed an undetermined amount of cash and fled the store.</p><p>He was first arraigned on the charges Feb. 27.</p><p>Lombardo previously had been charged in another <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/506494/robber-strikes-unimart-in-hilldale" target="_blank">string of robberies</a>, including the Uni-Mart in Hilldale, Curry Donuts in Pittston and Hanover Beverage in Hanover Township. He is also accused of <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/509771/joe-lombardo-arraigned-on-third-set-of-charges-stemming-from-alleged-robbery-spree" target="_blank">stealing a truck</a> on the day of his arrest.</p><p>Court documents indicate that Lombardo is scheduled for a formal arraignment at 9 a.m. on June 2 at the Luzerne County Courthouse. He remains jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Lombardo </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_lombardo.jpg</photo0><caption0>Lombardo </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Alleged robber Joseph Lombardo forwards more charges to higher court