Police in North Carolina have charged a man with theft after they say he was in a car and had a wallet belonging to a man from the Poconos who has been missing for more than a week.
Now police in the Poconos call the man who has been charged a person of interest in the disappearance of Joseph Devivo.
Police arrested Rico Herbert of Stroudsburg last Saturday in North Carolina. He is now charged with receiving stolen property. Police call him a person of interest in the disappearance of Joseph Devivo of Stroud Township.
Police in Monroe County said Devivo was last seen on Thursday of last week.
Two days later Stroud Area Regional Police found his vehicle in Charlotte, North Carolina using On-Star, an in-vehicle security system.
When police found the car they didn’t find Devivo inside. Instead they found Herbert who they said also had Devivo’s wallet.
“We’re trying to track that down. That’s something we don’t know as far as how he would know Joseph, if in fact he did. His story doesn’t include knowledge of Devivo,” Kimmins said.
Herbert was arrested in North Carolina and locked up.
“He’s in custody for receiving stolen property for the 2002 Chevy Malibu as well as the wallet that belonged to Mr. Devivo,” Kimmins added.
Herbert is no stranger to the law. He is wanted in Monroe County on theft charges. He is also wanted in South Carolina where his family lives.
He is now is jail in North Carolina awaiting extradition.
One thing police are saying is they need the public’s help.
“We’re particularly interested in Mr. Herbert’s whereabouts on Thursday evening when Mr. Devivo was last seen. Anybody familiar with Mr. Herbert or recognize him, please contact police,” Kimmins said.
The number for Stroud Area Regional Police is 570-421-6800.
Authorities in North Carolina have commented on the investigation.
