In late March 2026, members of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police's Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) were contacted by Intelligence Analysts with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections' Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence regarding criminal behavior being conducted by Joseph Colomba. Colomba, a convicted felon on PA State Parole for drug-related offenses, was reported to be involved in drug trafficking as well as in possession of a handgun.

For the next three months, SEU officers and Intelligence Analysts continued to collect information regarding Colomba's activities using multiple different investigative methods. Their hard work culminated in a search warrant being granted for Colomba as well as his residence, located in the 300 block of New Dorwart Street.

On July 31, 2026 at about 11:30 a.m. SEU officers observed Colomba exit his home, enter an arriving vehicle, and leave the area. The vehicle was stopped a short distance from the home and Colomba was detained. During the stop the driver, identified as Kevin Meredith, fled from the vehicle and was quickly apprehended by officers a short distance away. In the car where Meredith had been seated, officers found a significant amount of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and U.S. currency.

Another passenger of the vehicle, Thomas Braithwaite, was arrested for an outstanding criminal warrant issued by the Willistown Township Police Department, Chester County, PA.

The warrant at Colomba's residence was served and officers located a stolen handgun as well as quantities of several other drugs and packaging material inside of his bedroom as well as U.S. currency.

Based on the findings, Colomba was charged with:

• Two counts Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (marijuana, cocaine)
• One count Receiving Stolen Property
• One count Persons Not to Possess, Use, Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms
• One count Possession of a Controlled Substance
• One count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Additionally, Meredith was charged with:

• One count Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (crack cocaine)
• One count Possession of a Controlled Substance
• One count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• One count Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot
• One count Driving While Operating Privileges Suspended

Colomba and Meredith are both currently being held at Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $350,000 and $150,000 cash bail, respectively.