Arrests.
A Telford woman is facing a felony retail theft charge and a misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing $76 in merchandise from Giant Food Store on March 9, even when the anti-theft cart wheels locked, police said.
Ruth Ann Emery, 59, of E Summit Street, was arrested by Richland Township Police Department and arraigned on the felony charge March 26 before Magisterial District Judge Lisa J. Gaier, according to court documents.
Emery is free on $5,000 unsecured bail, according to court records.
Police said at 11:30 a.m. March 12 they were dispatched by Bucks County Radio to a retail theft at the Giant at 760 Route 113 and spoke with a loss prevention officer who informed them the theft occurred three days prior between 9:31 p.m. and 9:41 p.m.
Emery, police allege, filled a shopping cart with various laundry products, trash bags, lighters and baby wipes and allegedly walked past all registers to exit the store.
The cart’s anti-theft security mechanism activated in the vestibule, locking the wheels so the cart could not be moved, police said. Emery then allegedly dragged the cart back into the store and left the scene, police said.
Emery was seen leaving the lot in a light-colored Toyota Highlander with a large white luggage rack on the roof, police said.
Through an investigation, police identified Emery as the alleged thief, and a search of her criminal history found three prior retail theft convictions, police said.
A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. before Gaier, per court records.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
