Crime & Safety
Lehighton, PA Man Wanted on Warrants Found at Elementary School
Lehighton, PA – A Pennsylvania man who had been listed as both missing and wanted has been taken into custody after authorities say he was found sleeping at an elementary school.
By Mara Ellison · 2026-10-07T17:52:04.923Z
Lehighton, PA – A Pennsylvania man who had been listed as both missing and wanted has been taken into custody after authorities say he was found sleeping at an elementary school .
According to Pennsylvania State Police Tips, 39 year old Michael Cardone of Lehighton was taken into custody on outstanding warrants and subsequently transported to the Allegheny County Jail. Police said Cardone was found sleeping at an elementary school within the city and allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his possession.
The update ends a search that began months earlier after Cardone was last seen Feb. 28 at his parents’ residence on Homestead Lane in Towamensing Township, Carbon County.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop N in Lehighton had sought the public’s help locating Cardone to check his welfare and address outstanding warrants. Authorities said he had been entered into the National Crime Information Center as both wanted and missing.
Police also reported that Cardone was known to frequent Philadelphia’s Kensington area.
According to the original Pennsylvania State Police notice, the outstanding case listed charges of public drunkenness and similar misconduct, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession. Those charges are allegations, and Cardone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Authorities did not identify the elementary school in the update or provide additional details about how Cardone was located there. The post also did not indicate that any students or school employees were threatened or injured.
State police thanked members of the public for sharing the original missing and wanted person notice.
The latest update marks a significant change from the earlier alert: Cardone is no longer being sought by Pennsylvania State Police in connection with the outstanding warrants described in the notice.