Police: Man Caught Stealing DVDs at Giant

A Bethlehem-area man has been charged with swiping DVDs from the in Palmer Township on Wednesday.

Michael Thomas Farrell, 27, of 927 Wedgewood Road, Hanover Township (Northampton County), was arraigned Wednesday before on charges of retail theft for allegedly stealing 10 DVDs worth $347.55.

Palmer Township Officer Richard Marshall responded to a call at 2:36 p.m. Wednesday for a man being held by store officials. Marshall said he met with Giant's loss prevention officer John Foley along with the suspect.

Foley told Marshall that he noticed Farrell enter the store and take numerous DVDs off the rack and then proceed down an aisle.

Foley stated to Marshall that the suspect then concealed the DVDs with other items and then exited the store, passing all points of payment.

After Farrell headed outside, Foley said he followed him and then identified himself, Marshall stated in his report.

The suspect then started to run. After a short chase in the parking lot, the defendant stopped and Foley escorted him back to his store office, Marshall said.

Marshall then took Farrell back to police headquarters for processing.

Farrell was released on $15,000 bail on the following conditions: random drug testing, pretrial supervision by Northampton County Pretrial Services, a drug and alcohol assessment and fingerprinting by May 9.

The foregoing arrest information was supplied by District Judge Jacqueline Taschner. It does not indicate a conviction.