An employee at a Schuylkill County business has been charged with a felony count of theft after he allegedly stole a pair of expensive earrings.
State Police say they were called to Saks OFF 5TH Distribution Center at the Highridge Business Park in Foster Township last Tuesday for a reported internal theft.
Police say they met with security personnel there who were in possession of surveillance footage reportedly showing employee Melvin Mejia-Nuñez, 27, of Hazleton, pocketing a pair of earrings.
The earrings, security says, are valued at $1,450.
Mejia-Nuñez reportedly took the earrings from a bin and placed them in his pocket.
Through a translator, police say Mejia-Nuñez admitted to taking the earrings but said he did so only to view them somewhere else. Security at the business reportedly told police this was not permitted.
Mejia-Nuñez was stopped by security as he walked away from his work station after allegedly pocketing the earrings.
Police say they took Mejia-Nuñez into custody at the scene. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer on Jan. 6 and charged with one felony count of retail theft.
Bayer set bail at 10% of $10,000 and Mejia-Nuñez was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. Bail was posted the following day, court records show. A preliminary hearing before Judge Christian Lengel is scheduled for Feb. 12 in Tremont.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...