With a call to 911, a quick-thinking Elkridge great-grandmother helped nab an Ellicott City man on the run from the law.
“I was sitting on my porch minding my own business reading a book,” recalled Phyllis Plevyak, who declined to disclose her age. “I saw two guys fighting and I called 911.”
The time was about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Within minutes of Plevyak?s call, several police officers arrived at the scene to apprehend the suspect, David A. Lombardo, 32, of 7900 Brightlight Place, who now faces multiple drug and firearms charges.
Officers had learned of a location where Lombardo was growing 12 marijuana plants in a wooded area near Route 103 and Route 100 in Ellicott City, they said. Detectives conducted surveillance Wednesday and observed the suspect caring for and watering the plants, police said.
Lombardo fled when officers attempted to apprehend him, but was tackled by an undercover officer who held him until help responded to Plevyak?s call.
“She did exactly what every citizen should do,” said police spokeswoman Pfc. Jennifer Reidy. “She saw something suspicious and she called the police. She certainly helped us locate this guy and apprehend him quickly. Even if we have officers following a subject, knowing his exact location is very helpful.”
After arresting him, detectives searched Lombardo?s vehicle where they said they located a handgun and drug paraphernalia. During the execution of a search warrant at Lombardo?s home, police said they found planters, fertilizer, lamps and ammunition. Lombardo faces seven charges, including manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and transporting a firearm while engaged in drug trafficking. In an unrelated case, police have arrested another Ellicott City man Randy Fox Tennant, 22, of Fox Den Road, for a similar crime.
In Tennat?s case, detectives learned of the existence of two marijuana plants growing in the David Force Park on Pebble Beach Drive in Ellicott City.
