2 accused in crime spree
CRANBERRY TWP — A suspected husband-and-wife shoplifting duo is accused of a series of fraudulent returns at stores in Butler and Beaver counties.
Cranberry Township police on Tuesday arrested Patrick R. Castellano, 34, and Kimberly A. Jenkins, 37, both of Industry, Beaver County, in the alleged crime spree that spanned three months earlier this year.
Both defendants are in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail each.
Police said Castellano and Jenkins on 14 separate days between Feb. 19 and April 12 targeted the Marshalls store on Route 19 in Cranberry.
The two allegedly swiped merchandise worth a combined $1,588.90, and then made fraudulent returns with the same items, receiving in-store gift cards in exchange.
The suspects, according to court documents, employed the same scheme at the Marshalls store in Center Township, Beaver County. On nine days between Feb. 2 and April 4, the couple is accused of making fraudulent returns totaling $689.59.
Police credit surveillance footage from the stores' security system in helping identify Castellano and Jenkins.
The defendants also are suspected of making a fraudulent return on March 23 at Kohl's on Route 228 in Cranberry, and receiving a $71.25 store gift card.
District Judge Sue Haggerty on Tuesday arraigned Castellano on one felony and one misdemeanor count each of retail theft, conspiracy to commit retail theft, access device fraud, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Because she has three prior shoplifting convictions, Jenkins is charged with two felony counts each of retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft.She also is charged with one felony and one misdemeanor count each of access device fraud, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.Additionally, Haggerty arraigned Jenkins on a separate charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from an April 13 incident at the Marshalls in Cranberry.Police said that while investigating an attempted shoplifting at the store, they found five empty stamp bags of heroin, three syringes and other contraband in her car.
