MONROE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A local woman faces retail theft and drug possession charges after State Police in Clarion reported finding her with stolen Walmart items and suspected methamphetamine during a September 8 traffic stop in Monroe Township.
According to the criminal complaint, PSP Clarion responded to the Walmart Supercenter on Perkins Road around 2:37 p.m. for a report of retail theft. Store loss prevention personnel observed a woman in a black shirt, later identified as 30-year-old Shania Brooke McDaniel, of New Bethlehem, place roughly $80.68 worth of cosmetic items into a handbag before leaving without paying, police say.
Store staff reported seeing McDaniel enter the passenger side of a white Hyundai Veloster, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Troopers spotted the vehicle four minutes later and conducted a traffic stop, the complaint indicates. When a trooper asked McDaniel if she knew why he stopped the vehicle, McDaniel began to cry and said, “because I stole,” while removing stolen items from her handbag, according to the affidavit.
During a consent search of the vehicle interior, troopers located a container on the passenger floorboard containing about 0.25 grams of suspected methamphetamine, according to the complaint. The affidavit states that McDaniel admitted the container belonged to her.
A review of McDaniel’s criminal history revealed two prior retail theft convictions, raising the current theft charge to a third-degree felony, according to the complaint.
Court records show the following charges against McDaniel were filed September 9 in Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office:
Retail theft – Under-ringing, Felony 3 (Third or Subsequent Offense)
Intentional Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
Court documents indicate Judge Miller set unsecured bail at $20,000.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 15 at 9:45 a.m. before Judge Miller, according to court documents.