According to court documents filed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, 40-year-old Brian P. Burns was charged on June 12th, 2025, with one count of retail theft after he was caught attempting to conceal and remove several items from the department store without paying on May 20th, 2025.
The incident occurred at Boscov’s located at 7290 Fairlane Village Mall in Norwegian Township. Police say Burns concealed two bottles of perfume, a bottle of cologne, and a 3-in-1 folding station charger, valued at a total of $398.99. Store employees reported that Burns hid the items in his pants pockets and down the left leg of his pants before attempting to leave the store.
Boscov’s staff confronted Burns, at which time he returned the two perfumes and the charging station. However, before fully complying, Burns fled the store with the stolen cologne still in his possession. The store’s surveillance cameras captured footage of the theft, which was later reviewed by law enforcement.
Troopers noted that Burns has a prior retail theft conviction from June 14, 2017, in Luzerne County, which elevated the current charge to a felony of the third degree under Pennsylvania law.
Burns is scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge on July 15, 2025, for a preliminary hearing on the charge.