A woman from Scranton is facing felony shoplifting charges after Pennsylvania State Police found $527 worth of items she allegedly stole from an Allenwood Dollar General store. Belinda Sepkoski is accused of leaving the Allenwood Dollar General without paying for items she put into a pink canvas bag she bought with her to the store. She was able to flee the scene in her car despite setting off store security alarms when exiting.

Have you been arrested for shoplifting? Shoplifting is a criminal offense, and many stores have adopted a zero-tolerance policy where they press charges against all offenders. Misdemeanor shoplifting convictions will become part of your criminal record, which could have life-long negative consequences. A felony shoplifting conviction could lead to you being incarcerated. Call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today!

Suspect Was Known to Dollar General Staff

The suspected shoplifter, Belinda Sepkoski, was a regular visitor to the Allenwood Dollar General Store. Pennsylvania State Trooper Casey Ward took an affidavit from the store manager, who said he recognized Sepkoski from prior visits. It is not known whether she stole from the store on her previous visits, but on the day of the incident, items in Sepkoski's bag were stolen, and store security alarms were set off as she exited.

Dollar General staff were able to get the license plates on the car Sepkoski drove to the store, and they contacted the State Police. Trooper Ward used that information to trace the car to an address in Lycoming County's Clinton Township. Trooper Ward went to the house, where he was met by a man who gave him the bag Sepkoski had taken to Dollar General, which was still full of stolen items.

Sepkoski wasn't at the residence, but the Trooper returned the stolen items to Dollar General, who tabulated their total value at $527. Sepkoski was eventually apprehended and charged with felony retail theft. The charges were upgraded to a third-degree felony because Sepkoski's criminal record includes two previous shoplifting convictions. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in jail and/or a fine of $2,500-$15,000.

Shoplifting Charges Are Serious

Shoplifting is a serious matter, even if it's a misdemeanor charge. There is no such thing as a “minor” criminal offense when a conviction will stay on your record for years to come. If you've been arrested for shoplifting or retail theft, you owe it to yourself to defend your good name and vigorously fight the charges.

No matter what the police or prosecutors say about how strong their case is, your arrest doesn't automatically lead to your conviction. Exercise your right to a legal defense against criminal charges. Call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today!