POTTSVILLE - Police said Monday they were trying to determine the connection between a Pottsville man who was found in Montgomery County driving the truck of a man who was found dead in his home early Monday.
Pottsville police Capt. Richard J. Wojciechowsky said officers found the body of John Tranquillo, 66, inside his 411 Laurel Blvd. home about 3:30 a.m.
"It is definitely a homicide," Wojciechowsky said.
Wojciechowsky said officers went to the home after state police at the Skippack station in Montgomery County found Edward J. Miller Jr., 51, of 237 Pierce St., driving Tranquillo's truck, which they believed to have been stolen. Details of Miller's arrest were not available Monday, but Pottsville police believed it was due to a traffic stop.
An autopsy on Tranquillo's body is planned to determine the exact cause of death, Wojciechowsky said, and it will likely be performed today.
Although police said the connection between Tranquillo's death and Miller being in possession of his vehicle had not yet been established, Miller was arraigned Monday night on charges stemming from a separate incident - an alleged robbery and assault Sunday in Pottsville.
Patrolman Charles Webber said William Kline met Miller at Dunkin Donuts about 4 p.m. Sunday. Kline said he and Miller knew each other for several months, and Kline bought Miller a coffee and roll because Miller said he had not eaten in days.
When the two were done eating, Webber said Miller asked Kline for a ride to his home. While the two were headed there, Miller asked Kline to stop at an ATM. When Kline pulled into Sovereign Bank, 120 S. Centre St., instead of getting out of the vehicle, Miller grabbed Kline by the neck and pulled Kline toward him.
Kline said Miller placed a sharp object against his throat and he felt like he was being cut, Webber said.
Miller told the man, "Here's what's going down" and demanded money, Webber said in his affidavit of probable cause.
Kline said he believed Miller would kill him and got out of the car while Miller was yelling at him to get back inside, Webber said.
Webber said Kline ran onto Progress Avenue and began to flag down passing motorists while Miller moved to the driver's side of the car and drove off.
Kline suffered a two-inch laceration to the side of his neck and an injury to his leg, Webber said. He was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment and his vehicle was found with the help of OnStar in the parking lot of 400 Laurel High Rise, near the homicide victim's home, Webber said.
Wojciechowsky said when officers found Kline's vehicle, they had no idea Tranquillo's truck was missing or stolen until they were contacted early Monday by state police at Skippack. Then, when officers went Tranquillo's home to question him about his vehicle, they discovered Tranquillo's body.
"We're at the tip of the iceberg," Murton said Monday.
Miller was arraigned Monday night by on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, on charges of robbery, robbery of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, all felony offenses, as well as a misdemeanor charge of simple assault.
He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $200,000 straight cash bail.
Police said more information will be available as the investigation continues.
Criminal record
Miller has a criminal record dating back to at least Sept. 11, 1989, when he pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct.
Since then, his crimes have included possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or eluding police, receiving stolen property, theft, criminal mischief, desecration of venerated objects, criminal solicitation, conspiracy, theft by deception, possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.
In his latest cases, Miller pleaded guilty Feb. 25, 2009, to theft, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, DUI, driving under suspension and stop sign violation. Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin sentenced him on that date to serve 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution and pay costs, $725 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Pottsville Hospital, now Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
Pottsville police charged him in connection with both sets of crimes, saying he committed the theft-related offenses Sept. 23, 2008, and the vehicle-related ones on the same date.