Shopping Today? Leave the Drugs at Home

Two area residents recently learned the hard way that if you're going to be involved in retail theft, it might be best not to be carrying illegal drugs, according to police.

Michael Christopher Kovalick was accused Oct. 13 of leaving with a video game system in his cart without paying for it, according to Kovalick was held for stealing the $134 item from the store at 1091 Mill Creek Road.

Police said Kovalick consented to a search of his vehicle, which produced eight hypodermic needles, clear plastic bags, a small amount of suspected marijuana, a tin foil pipe containing suspected burnt marijuana, five suspected hydrocodon pills and two prescription papers not prescribed to Kovalick.

To make matters worse, the retail theft count was the third for Kovalick, meaning the charge was elevated to a felony, police said.

Police said they also charged an Allentown-area woman with possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia in another retail theft-related incident Oct. 19 at the same Wal-Mart.

In this case, Kailie Pierzga of Orefield was charged with retail theft after being stopped by store loss prevention specialists. Bissey, who was with Pierzga, also was searched, which is when police say they found the drugs and paraphernalia. Bissey was not charged with retail theft, but was charged with the drug-related offenses.

In other recent police incidents involving Lower Macungie Township, state police at Fogelsville reported the following:

Charged: Surefit Inc at 8000 Quarry Road; cited Oct. 2 with disorderly conduct for allowing excessive false alarms, police said.

Theft: Reported Oct. 16 from Angelo Sorrentino of Dadona Quarry of Alburtis; attempted entry of several buildings and trunk entered and Stihl gasoline-powered saw taken, police said; thin, white male with wavy, brown, shoulder-length hair, approximately 5-foot-8 and age 15-18; no value given; call police at 610-395-1438 with information.

Criminal mischief: Reported Oct 21 at 3106 Schefield Drive; garage door dented by unknown object and person, police said; no value given.

Charged: Giovannie Feliciano Santiago of Allentown; Oct. 18 with retail theft at Wal-Mart at 1091 Mill Creek Road; Santiago left the store with seven items totaling $194 without paying, police said; Santiago also charged with providing false identification to law enforcement officers.