Two Schuylkill County men are facing retail theft charges following an alleged incident at Weis Markets earlier this year.
State Police say they were called to the grocery store on Jan. 24 for an incident that allegedly occurred a week prior.
During the incident, according to the store’s retail crimes investigator, three men entered the store and two of them are seen on surveillance footage taking items from it without paying.
Weis Markets was able to obtain registration information on the vehicle used to transport the two suspects.
Police say they spoke with the vehicle owner at his home. He said that one of the suspects, Rafa Hernandez-Martinez, 58, of New Philadelphia, drove his vehicle and they picked up Michael Spirko, 53, of Pottsville, on Jan. 17 prior to going to the store.
The vehicle owner reportedly told police he did not steal anything. He’s not been charged by police.
Hernandez-Martinez has been charged with a summary count of retail theft.
However, Spirko allegedly left the store with a grocery bag full of items after he allegedly raided the Health & Beauty aisle at Weis Markets.
The store says Spirko walked out with more than $350 worth of merchandise. That included:
- 2 Gillette razor refills ($89.98)
- 2 Bausch & Lomb eye products ($53.98)
- 2 bottles of Olay ($54.98)
- 2 bottles of Biolage ($51.98)
- 1 box of Wow Hair ($45.99)
- 1 box of Sexy Hair ($28.99)
- 1 Redken product ($28.99)
Spirko has been charged with a felony count of retail theft. Police say Spirko has four prior retail theft convictions on his record.
A preliminary hearing for Spirko is scheduled before Senior Magisterial District Judge Edward Lewis in Port Carbon on March 31.
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