Two Charged in Retail Theft Incident by Rush Township Police

Two people were charged with retail theft and other charges after an incident in Rush Township.

On Wednesday June 20, 2018 around 6:00pm, Officers from the Rush Township Police Department observed a suspicious person in the area of Plaza Drive in the Township.

The female, later identified as Brittany Kieffer, 22, of Coaldale was determined to have recently committed a retail theft from Wal-Mart. The stolen items were recovered, and Kieffer was charged with Felony Retail Theft, Criminal Trespass, illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Kieffer was arraigned on the charges and committed to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15,000.00 cash bail.

A second person was also charged in this incident. Amanda Bartenope, 45, of Palmerton was charged with Felony Endangering the Welfare of Children, Felony Conspiracy to commit Retail Theft, illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, and DUI. Bartenope was arraigned on the charges and was committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15,000.00 cash bail.

Both defendants will have a preliminary hearing in the near future at Magisterial District Judge Bayer's office.

Bartenope

Kieffer