Frankfort Woman Charged with Helping Hess Evade Capture

A Frankfort woman has been arrested and indicted after she allegedly helped Joseph Hess evade police after he ran over an elderly woman in October. 

Lanessa Stewart, 36, was arrested by The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on March 26. She has been indicted on charges of felony 2nd degree hindering prosecution after she allegedly helped Hess evade law enforcement. 

Hess, 32 was arrested by U.S. Marshalls back on October 21 after a five-day manhunt that ended in a motel just outside of Philadelphia, PA. He had been on the run since October 16 when he struck an elderly woman with a stolen car in a McDonald’s parking lot in Ballston Spa after stealing her purse. 

The victim suffered a compound leg fracture in the incident and had to be treated at Albany Medical Center due to the injuries.  

 “Those who assist individuals in evading law enforcement, particularly in the aftermath of a violent felony, will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Brett Eby in a press release. “Our office remains committed to ensuring that anyone who obstructs justice or aids offenders in avoiding apprehension faces appropriate consequences under the law.”

It’s unclear what specific assistance Stewart provided Hess. A review of the indictment only said what she was charged with and when asked about the case, Eby only said that she helped Hess evade capture. 

Stewart was arraigned in the Saratoga County Court and was released to pretrial services. She is due in court on April 16. Hess, meanwhile, was charged with first degree robbery, assault and other offenses. He is due back in court on April 13.