Several Detained After Retail Thefts In Falls, Lower Makefield

Three adults face charges and two juveniles were detained Thursday afternoon after a retail theft investigation that involved crime in Falls and Lower Makefield townships.

The Lower Makefield Township Police Department responded to the Kohl’s on Big Oak Road at 1:40 p.m. after loss prevention staff reported seeing three women and a man concealing store items in bags near the fitting rooms.

Officers staged outside the building and identified a gray Honda Odyssey with New Jersey registration parked near the entrance.

A male juvenile matching the suspects’ description exited the store and entered the vehicle, which was being held by a male driver, police said.

Police conducted an investigative stop of the Honda and detained the occupants, police said.

According to investigators, a black backpack and a black duffel bag, which store staff identified as the containers used to stash merchandise, were visible on the rear seat.

A search of the male juvenile revealed several store items in his jacket pockets, police said.

Officers also confirmed the clothing he was wearing had not been purchased.

The vehicle’s owner, a mother to two of the juveniles involved, was detained inside the store along with her daughter.

Following a search of the van, officers recovered numerous items of clothing with retail tags still attached, police said.

In a statement, police said the search also yielded merchandise stolen from a separate retail location in neighboring Falls Township.

In total, authorities recovered $493.61 worth of unpaid merchandise taken from the Kohl’s store.

A 44-year-old Trenton woman was charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property, and corruption of minors.

A 36-year-old Trenton woman was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property.

A 50-year-old Warminster Township man, who was identified as the driver, was taken into custody after a records check revealed an active warrant from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office. He was turned over to deputies.

The two female suspects were arraigned by District Judge Corryn Kronnagel and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.