Police identify fourth suspect in theft ring charged with stealing more than $5,000 in merchandise from Lewisburg stores

Justin Strawser, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·2 min read

Jun. 21—LEWISBURG — The fourth person involved in felony thefts at both Weis Markets and Giant Food Store in Lewisburg has been identified by state police and Buffalo Valley Regional Police.

Marlon Joel Polanco, 19, of Jennings Street, Bronx, N.Y., is accused of being part of a criminal theft ring across six counties in Pennsylvania. Authorities said Polanco and three other individuals stole more than $3,500 worth of over-the-counter medications from Giant Food Stores, 224 Hardwood Drive in East Buffalo Township on May 18. The four are also charged with stealing more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from Weis Markets at 6901 Westbranch Highway in Kelly Township on May 22.

Polanco was charged by Buffalo Valley Regional Police Patrolman Gary Heckman with three felony counts of retail theft, conspiracy to commit retail theft and conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property. He was also charged by state Trooper Kyle Drick, of the Milton State Police Barracks, with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit retail theft and conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking.

All charges were filed in the Lewisburg office of District Judge Jeffrey Rowe.

The others accused are Homario Oldacre, 20, of 139th Street, Jamaica, N.Y.; Malik McDonald, 19, of North Clinton Avenue, Bay Shore, N.Y.; and Cartier Hardy, 20, of 127th Street, Jamaica, N.Y..

Since June 1, Heckman said he contacted numerous law enforcement agencies investigating the same group for retail thefts at Giant or Weis stores in their jurisdictions. The various law enforcement agencies were from York, Lancaster, Berks, Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

The four men are accused of taking $3,529 in various over-the-counter medications, such as allergy and pain medications, from Giant on May 30. They are also accused of taking $2,010 worth of items from Weis.

The eight cases in Union County against Oldacre, Hardy, McDonald and Polanco are listed as inactive.