Crime & Safety
Nazareth Teacher Accused of Shoplifting Headed to Court
Stacee Banko, 32, a Nazareth Area Intermediate School teacher accused of shoplifting from a local department store, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
The Nazareth Area Intermediate School teacher accused of stealing from a Lower Nazareth department store -- and leaving her 11-year-old daughter behind -- waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, according to court records.
Stacee Banko, 32, of the 300 block of Township Line Road in Lower Nazareth Township, is charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Her formal arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 29 in Northampton County Court.
Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Banko is a 5th grade teacher in the Nazareth Area School District, where she has taught for 10 years, according to teacherweb.com.
On Sept. 22, according to court records, Banko was at the Kohl's store in the Northampton Crossings shopping center when store security spotted her taking a shopping bag and loading it up with clothing.
Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Although Banko paid for one item, she left the store without paying for $184.94 in merchandise, according to Colonial Regional Police.
Police say Banko's daughter was with her at the time, unaware that her mother was stealing, or that she had left.
Banko is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.