A Pottsville woman has been charged with felony retail theft following an investigation into an alleged January theft at Boscov’s in the Fairlane Village Mall.
Felony Retail Theft Charge Filed
Jennifer Lynn Reber, 40, faces one count of third-degree felony retail theft involving merchandise valued at more than $1,000, according to court records.
The charge stems from an alleged theft on . According to an affidavit of probable cause, Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven responded to the department store at approximately 5:48 p.m.
A store asset-protection employee told police that a woman attempted to leave with clothing, jewelry and various household goods without paying. The employee reported recovering some of the merchandise, but not all of it.
The total value of the merchandise was listed as $1,113.87 before tax, according to the affidavit.
Surveillance Images and Public Tips
Police reviewed surveillance footage showing a woman wearing a dark-colored jacket with the name “Reber” displayed on the chest. Investigators also noted tattoos on the woman’s arms, hands and neck.
According to the affidavit, tips received through a Skook News social media post helped police identify Reber as a suspect.
Investigators then compared publicly available photographs from Reber’s social media account with the store’s surveillance images and her Pennsylvania driver’s license photograph, the affidavit states.
Skook News previously reported on the Boscov’s retail theft investigation on February 2, when state police were seeking the public’s help identifying the woman.
Preliminary Hearing Scheduled
Court records show the criminal complaint was filed and a summons was issued on .
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for , before Magisterial District Judge Edward M. Lewis.
The charge is an allegation. Reber is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.