Palmer Shoplifting Becomes Felony For Easton Woman

A 58-year-old Easton woman admitted to police she stole $47.08 in items from the Palmer Township Giant supermarket Monday afternoon, according to court records.

But because of previous shoplifting convictions the $47.08 is adding up to felony charges that could carry stiff penalties.

The loss-prevention officer at the on S. 25th Street told police she saw the suspect, Sandra Weiss, concealing items in her purse after removing the UPC (universal product code) bar code and then going to a self-checkout aisle.

The officer said Weiss scanned other groceries but slid four of the items without scanning them, according to court records. She paid for part of her order but failed to pay for the concealed and unscanned items, the officer told police.

The stolen items totaled $47.08. The records did not specify what kind of items allegedly were taken.

Weiss later admitted to police she attempted to shoplift about $50 in items. The alleged shoplifting occurred around 1:40pm.

The records list three previous retail theft cases in which Weiss pleaded guilty:

--South Whitehall Township, arrested Dec. 14, 1981, pleaded guilty July 19, 1982.

--Allentown, arrested April 20, 1977, no date listed for guilty plea.

--Whitehall Township, arrested Dec. 23, 1976, pleaded guilty July 25, 1977.

Weiss, of 527 Northampton St., was charged with retail theft, but because of the previous convictions the charge rises to a level-three felony, the records say. She was arraigned Monday by on-duty District Judge Jackie Taschner of PalmerTownship and committed to after failing to post $5,000 bail.