Three Canton residents charged with theft
Three Canton Township residents were charged Monday by South Strabane Township police for allegedly stealing items from Wal-Mart, Trinity Point, on two occasions earlier this month and then returning them for gift cards.
Charged were Mark Edward Wade, 52, and Tina M. Roberts, 30; both of 353 Pennsylvania Ave., and Shane A. Kovatch, 29, of 335 Pennsylvania.
The three reportedly entered the store April 11. Kovatch and Roberts were seen by a loss prevention officer concealing items inside the store. They then left the store and got into a vehicle driven by Kovatch.
Roberts and Wade then re-entered the store and took the items to customer service. Wade reportedly returned four items for a $74 gift card while Roberts returned six items and received a $69 gift card.
The three reportedly returned to the store Friday where they again reportedly stole items and then returned them. Roberts and Kovatch were seen selecting and concealing the items and Wade reportedly returned the items for a $102 gift card.
Wade is charged with two counts each of retail theft, conspiracy and theft by deception. Roberts is charged with two counts conspiracy and retail theft and one count of theft by deception. Kovatch is charged with two counts each of retail theft, theft by deception and conspiracy and one count of driving with a suspended license. Charges against all three will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Jay Weller.