Averi Albanese, 23, violated probation weeks after sentencing, served jail time, paroled in 2023 — now can’t be located by courts or police.

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA — A 23-year-old man wanted for shoplifting at a local grocery store has a criminal history far more extensive than the theft charge suggests: convictions for making offensive weapons, simple assault, and multiple drug offenses, plus three active bench warrants for unpaid court costs totaling more than $3,300.

Defendant:

• Averi John Albanese, 23
• DOB: April 8, 2002
• Last Known Residence: Mount Pocono/Stroudsburg, PA
• Physical Description: White male, 6’0″, 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
• Aliases: Averi J. Albanese, Avery John Albanese

Averi John Albanese is wanted on a warrant issued December 16, 2025, for retail theft at the Weis Market at 695 North Courtland Street in East Stroudsburg. But court records reveal a pattern of offenses, probation violations, and court evasion stretching back to when he was 18 years old.

Police say Albanese and a female co-defendant, Billie J. Robinson, stole $85.71 worth of merchandise from the store on November 22, 2025. Albanese allegedly loaded a shopping basket with $52.22 in items and walked out without paying.

The charge was filed as a second-degree misdemeanor — elevated from a summary offense — because Albanese has a prior retail theft conviction.

But that’s just the beginning of his record.

Weapons, Assault, Drugs: A Criminal History Since Age 18

Court records across Monroe and Northampton counties reveal Albanese has accumulated convictions for serious offenses starting in 2020, when he was 18.

The weapons case: In October 2020, Albanese was arrested in Northampton County and charged with making, repairing, or selling offensive weapons — a first-degree misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty in March 2021 before Judge Craig A. Dally.

The assault: In March 2021, Albanese was arrested again and charged with simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty in August 2021 before Judge Abraham Kassis and was sentenced to 5 to 23 months in Northampton County Prison.

The drugs: Albanese accumulated multiple drug charges across both counties. In January and March 2021, he was arrested twice in Monroe County — once by Pocono Township Police and once by Pennsylvania State Police — for intentional possession of a controlled substance. A third drug paraphernalia charge followed in September 2022 in East Stroudsburg.

He also pleaded guilty to drug paraphernalia in Northampton County in March 2021.

Probation Violated Within Weeks

In September 2022, Albanese appeared before Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum in Monroe County and pleaded guilty to the two drug possession charges. He was sentenced to one year of probation on each case, to run concurrently, with conditions including drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment.

The ink was barely dry on his sentencing order when he violated.

On October 28, 2022 — just six weeks after sentencing — the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office filed a petition for violation of probation. By November 8, 2022, Judge Sibum revoked his probation and resentenced him to 4 to 8 months in Monroe County Correctional Facility, followed by another year of probation.

In June 2023, while incarcerated, Albanese filed a petition for parole. Judge C. Daniel Higgins Jr. denied it on June 14, 2023.

A second parole petition followed in July 2023. This time, Judge David J. Williamson granted parole effective July 12, 2023, releasing Albanese from custody.

Three Active Bench Warrants

Less than two years after his release, Albanese is in trouble again — and not just for the Weis Market theft.

Court records show three separate Monroe County criminal cases now list “Active Bench Warrant” status. In March 2025, the District Attorney’s Office filed motions for rule to show cause in all three cases, citing Albanese’s failure to pay court-ordered costs and fees.

The amounts he owes:

• CP-45-CR-0002444-2021: $1,261.08
• CP-45-CR-0002457-2021: $965.10
• CP-45-CR-0002748-2022: $1,144.10

Total: $3,370.28

Cost contempt hearings have been scheduled repeatedly — April 9, June 25, July 23, and November 26, 2025 — but court records indicate Albanese has not appeared. Bench warrant hearings were scheduled for June 30 and September 26, 2025.

Can’t Be Found

The court system appears to have lost track of Albanese entirely.

In the current retail theft case, docket entries show:

• December 1, 2025: Summons issued
• December 10, 2025: Certified summons returned undeliverable
• December 10, 2025: Fingerprint order returned undeliverable
• December 15, 2025: First class summons returned undeliverable

His preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for December 30, 2025, has been cancelled. An arrest warrant was issued December 16.

Court records list addresses in both Mount Pocono and Stroudsburg, but neither appears to be current.

Still Driving on Suspended License

While evading the courts, Albanese has continued to drive — and continued to accumulate citations.

Bangor Borough Police in Northampton County cited him in October 2025 for operating a vehicle without valid inspection. Additional Northampton County citations show charges for driving while operating privilege is suspended (two separate cases), disorderly conduct, and obstructed windows.

Those citations remain open, with summonses also returned as unclaimed.

The Pattern

What emerges from the court records is a pattern: offenses committed, probation granted, probation violated, jail time served, parole granted, new offenses committed, court costs unpaid, bench warrants issued, summonses ignored.

At 23, Albanese has convictions for weapons offenses, assault, drug possession, drug paraphernalia, and retail theft. He has served time in both Northampton and Monroe county facilities. He has violated probation. He owes more than $3,300 in court costs. He has three active bench warrants.

And now he’s wanted for another theft.

Anyone with information on Albanese’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Stroud Area Regional Police Department at 570-421-6800.

Current Warrant:

• Docket: MJ-43202-CR-0000370-2025
• OTN: T 1016044-1
• Charge: Retail theft (M2)
• Offense Date: November 22, 2025
• Location: Weis Market, 695 North Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg
• Warrant Issued: December 16, 2025
• Co-Defendant: Billie J. Robinson
• Amount Stolen: $52.22 (Albanese), $85.71 (total)
• MDJ: Michael A. Wolbert (43-2-02)
• Arresting Officer: Shawn P. Downey, SARPD

Prior Convictions:

Monroe County:

• CP-45-CR-0002444-2021: Intentional possession of controlled substance (M). Guilty plea. Sentenced 4-8 months confinement, 1 year probation. Probation violated. Active bench warrant.
• CP-45-CR-0002457-2021: Intentional possession of controlled substance (M). Guilty plea. Sentenced 4-8 months confinement, 1 year probation. Probation violated. Active bench warrant.
• CP-45-CR-0002748-2022: Drug paraphernalia (M). Guilty plea. Sentenced 1 year probation. Active bench warrant.
• MJ-43202-NT-0000206-2020: Retail theft (S). Guilty plea November 9, 2022.

Northampton County:

• CP-48-CR-0002942-2020: Make/repair/sell offensive weapons (M1). Guilty plea March 25, 2021.
• CP-48-CR-0003324-2020: Drug paraphernalia (M). Guilty plea March 25, 2021.
• CP-48-CR-0001247-2021: Simple assault (M2). Guilty plea. Sentenced 5-23 months confinement.

Pending Cases (Northampton County):

• MJ-03302-NT-0000317-2025: Disorderly conduct (S)
• MJ-03302-TR-0002076-2025: Driving while suspended (S)
• MJ-03303-TR-0001150-2025: Driving while suspended (S)
• MJ-03303-TR-0001151-2025: Obstructed window (S)
• MJ-03303-TR-0001152-2025: No valid inspection (S)

Court Costs Owed: $3,370.28 across three Monroe County cases

Albanese is presumed innocent on the current charge until proven guilty in a court of law.