Retail Thefts Reported at Two Lower Nazareth Businesses

The following incidents have been reported by :

Kohl's Department Store Employee Faces Retail Theft, Drug Charges

On May 22, police were called to around 9 p.m. after the store's loss prevention staff detained an off-duty employee for retail theft, according to police.

Nicole Forte, 20, of Saylorsburg, allegedly selected several clothing items and concealed them under her sweatshirt, police say. Forte then left the store without paying for the items, which were valued at $100.

While conducting a search of Forte's possessions, police found a small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe in the woman's purse.

Charges of retail theft, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were filed through District Judge Joseph Barner's office.

Bushkill Township Woman Allegedly Conceals $161.94 Worth of Merchandise in Purse

A Bushkill Township woman is facing a misdemeanor retail theft charge after she allegedly hid $161.94 worth of merchandise in her purse, according to police.

Around 10:44 p.m. on May 30, police say, Janelle Kristen Gross, 37, of Jacobsburg Road was confronted by a employee who saw Gross placing merchandise in her purse. According to police, Gross admitted to the employee that she shoplifted the items.

Gross was taken into custody and arraigned before on-call . Gross was committed to in lieu of $1,500 bail.

A criminal complaint was filed through Barner's office for a misdemeanor charge of retail theft.

For questions about this blotter, e-mail mallory.vough@patch.com.