Police Blotter: Retail Thefts and a PLCB Investigation

reported for the following retail thefts in Lower Nazareth Township:

• A Louisiana woman was cited for retail theft on Feb. 8 after allegedly stealing household items from , according to police.
  
  The store's loss prevention staff stopped Sherry Greer Veuleman of Shreveport, Louisiana, before she could leave with the unpaid items.
  
  She was cited and released.

• A 22-year-old Wind Gap woman was cited for retail theft after she allegedly tried to leave Wal-Mart with $83.50 of unpaid merchandise, according to police.
  
  On Feb. 11, police say, Jessica Stem was observed by the store’s loss prevention staff attempting to leave without paying for six CDs, a Disney bag, and a package of Oreo cookies.
  
  Stem was issued a non-traffic citation for retail theft and released.

• On Feb. 13, Megan Hammerstone, 23, and Steven Labonne, 22, both of Easton, were arrested for retail theft after they allegedly concealed $294.30 of DVDs and other merchandise in their daughter’s stroller and attempted to leave Wal-Mart without paying, according to police.
  
  Hammerstone and Labonne were arraigned in front of District Judge Adrianne Masut and released on $3,000 unsecured bail.

• A customer who allegedly bribed a butcher at has been charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft and receiving stolen property, according to police.
  
  Police say Hassan Chafiq, 47, of Effort, went to Sam’s Club on seven occasions between Sept. 7, 2010 and Dec. 16, 2010.  Each time, Chafiq, the owner of Trattoria 903 in Jim Thorpe, would pay the employee between $30 and $100 in exchange for under-weighed bulk purchases of meat and seafood.
  
  According to police, Chafiq purchased about 240 pounds of strip loin, 72 units of lump crab, and 80 pounds of lobster tails, all for less than retail price.  The total loss to Sam’s Club was $1,593.54, policy say.

reported the following incident: 

• A Nazareth officer on patrol observed an 18-year-old Nazareth man entering the American Hotel on S. Main Street about 10:45 p.m. on Feb. 6.
  
  The officer recognized the man, identified as Bradley Austin Burgess, from prior contacts with police and knew Burgess was not 21 years old.
  
  Burgess exited the bar carrying a brown paper bag, police say, and began to drive away.
  
  The officer stopped Burgess and found a full can of Four Loko, an alcoholic energy drink, on the passenger side rear floor, according to a press release.
  
  After a more thorough search of the vehicle, another can of Four Loko was found.
  
  The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has been contacted and the American Hotel will be investigated for LCB violations.
  
  Burgess was arrested and charged with purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages.