On December 5, 2022, at approximately 02:34 AM, a Pocono Township Police Department officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked at the rear of Billy's Pocono Diner in Tannersville. As the officer pulled into the parking lot, a light flickered inside of the diner. When the officer pulled behind the vehicle it proceeded to flee the scene on SR0611, and a pursuit ensued. Officers from the Pocono Township Police Department, Stroud Area Regional Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police Stroudsburg Barracks pursued the vehicle onto I80 East until it was eventually disabled using spike strips. The operator of the vehicle and co-conspirator in this incident was taken into custody and identified as Jonnathan Franco Bentancourt, a 38-year-old male from Corona, New York. Franco Bentancourt was placed into Monroe County Correctional Facility on charges of conspiracy to commit burglary (F2), conspiracy to commit criminal trespass (F2), fleeing or attempting to elude an officer (F3), conspiracy to commit theft (M1), conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property (M1), resisting arrest (M2) and summary traffic offenses. He was arraigned by MDJ Paul Gasper and bail was set at $150,000.

Through further investigation it was discovered that another male co-conspirator (picture attached) fled on foot after burglarizing the Diner. The Pocono Township Police Department is attempting to identify the co-conspirator. 

The Pocono Township Police Department was also assisted during this incident by the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information regarding this incident or regarding the identity of the pictured suspect are asked to contact Detective Michael Scicutella at (570)629-7200 Ext.230 or by leaving a tip below.