×

Longtime Weis employee confesses to stealing over $15K in groceries, cash

A 12-year employee at the Weis Market in Loyalsock Township has been arrested on felony charges for allegedly stealing $15,000 worth of groceries from the supermarket during the last seven years, according to state Trooper Peter Dunchick.

In an affidavit, Dunchick alleges that Michael Fischer, 60, of 1104 Park Ave., also took $4,000 cash from the store at 305 River Ave.

Police responded to the business on the afternoon of July 17 when Fischer was “in custody” by store personnel, who reported that he was accused of “stealing miscellaneous grocery items from the store as well as cash from the register, Dunchick alleged in an affidavit.

A store employee told police that an estimated $740 of merchandise was confirmed to have been stolen, “but Fischer admitted (himself) to taking $14,000 of grocery items” beginning in early 2013, Dunchick said.

When questioned further, Fischer admitted to “taking essential items and cash” that he used to buy things that he needed, the trooper said, adding that the now former supermarket employee signed a written confession.

Following his recent arraignment before District Judge Gary Whiteman on charges of theft and shoplifting, Fischer was released on $15,000 bail.

In another shoplifting case before the judge, a Carbon County man, who already has 10 shoplifting convictions, was arraigned Monday on charges of allegedly stealing a $1,400 range finder from EuroOptic in Montoursville late last month, according to borough Patrolman William Hagemeyer.

Dennis Dikowski, 72, of Albrightsville, entered the business at 635 N. Loyalsock Ave., on the afternoon of June 27 to have some work done on a rifle and scope, the officer said in an affidavit.

As he was waiting for the work to be completed, Dikowski was seen on store video taking a range finder that was on display and slipping it into his shirt pocket, Hagemeyer said.

The customer paid for the work done on his rifle and scope, and left without paying for the range finder, the officer alleged.

Court records state that Dikowski eight shoplifting convictions in this commonwealth dating back to 2006 and two convictions in New Jersey dating back to 1992.

Following his arraignment, he was released on $15,000 bail.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today