Two New York residents stole more than $300 in merchandise from the Dickson City Target before fleeing in a Toyota Rav4 on Saturday, according to a criminal complaint.
Lesa Marie Savage and Joshua Ostrander, both of Binghamton, face multiple charges, including felony counts of retail theft.
Officers noted both Savage, 34, and Ostrander, 43, had extensive prior records of retail theft. Savage has nine prior retail theft convictions, while Ostrander has seven.
According to the criminal complaint, Dickson City police were dispatched to the Commerce Boulevard Target for a retail theft at about 10:15 p.m.
The suspects fled in a vehicle and were found by officers pulling into a nearby Walmart.
Officers approached Savage in the driver’s seat and detained her, as well as Ostrander, the front-seat passenger.
Savage repeatedly told officers she hadn’t taken the merchandise out of the store.
Police reminded her Target staff had seen her using a cutting device on merchandise inside the store.
Officers searched Savage and found metal cutting snips in her front pocket, according to the complaint.
She said Ostrander put the stolen items in the vehicle.
Police searched the vehicle and found stolen Target merchandise and drug paraphernalia.
Inside Savage’s hat, they found a needle loaded with what officers believed was methamphetamine, according to the complaint.
Savage and Ostrander were transported back to Target, where they were identified by store personnel as having stolen merchandise valued at $323.
Savage faces a felony count of retail theft, as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. Ostrander is charged with felony counts of retail theft and receiving stolen property, in addition to related misdemeanor charges.
Both remain in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of bail — Savage $5,000 and Ostrander $10,000. Both have preliminary hearings on May 6 before District Judge George Seig.