Kyle Francis Lombel, 33, was taken into custody on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serina in Orwigsburg. Lombel was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after bail was set at $1,000,000 straight cash.
According to court documents filed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, Lombel is charged with felony counts of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to receive stolen property, and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. The charges stem from a January 23, 2016 burglary at Sam’s Place Lottery & Tobacco, located inside the Cressona Mall.
State police allege that in the early morning hours of January 23, 2016, Lombel and several accomplices entered the mall through a laundromat, lifted a metal security gate, and cut a hole in another gate to gain access to Sam’s Place Lottery & Tobacco. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspects carrying duffle bags as they entered the store.
Once inside, investigators say the group stole approximately $10,284 in cash, cartons and individual packs of cigarettes valued at more than $6,400, and both active and non-active Pennsylvania Lottery tickets. Active lottery tickets stolen during the burglary were valued at approximately $7,770. Before leaving, the suspects allegedly removed the store’s video surveillance system and poured bleach throughout the business, damaging merchandise and other property.
The burglary was reported later that morning by the business owner, who also notified the Pennsylvania Lottery due to the stolen tickets. Police say several stolen winning lottery tickets were cashed in the days following the burglary at locations in Schuylkill Haven, Reading, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas.
Investigators allege Lombel personally cashed a stolen winning lottery ticket worth $1,000 at a pharmacy in Philadelphia, using his U.S. passport for identification. Additional investigation led police to a search of Lombel’s residence on February 3, 2016, where troopers reportedly recovered 163 lottery tickets that matched serial numbers of tickets stolen from the business.
Court documents also detail interviews with co-defendants, including one individual who admitted involvement in the burglary and described Lombel’s role in organizing transportation, distributing stolen lottery tickets, and directing others before and after the crime. Surveillance footage and witness statements later identified additional participants in the burglary.
Lombel now faces all charges filed in connection with the incident and remains incarcerated at Schuylkill County Prison pending a preliminary hearing scheduled before Judge Serina on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025.