Crime News

Police: Wal-Mart Worker Stole from Cash Registers

Allentown woman told police she knew she would need the money during a medical leave of absence, according to court records.

  In the second such case to come to light in a week, a store worker has admitted to stealing from her employer. The latest case involves an Allentown woman who admitted stealing on two occasions during overnight hours this past summer from the Wal-Mart in Bethlehem Township before taking a medical leave of absence. Laura Hazel Stewart, 49, told police she stole a total of $424 “because of health issues and [she] knew she would need it for her medical leave of absence,” court records say. A criminal complaint filed by township Patrolman William Stanton also says: While working at the Wal-Mart at 3926 Nazareth Pike, Stewart stole $128 from a register on Aug. 25 and $296 on Sept. 13, the records say. Both incidents were captured on …

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Sears and Kmart Waive Layaway Fee Through Nov. 17

Retailers are launching a layaway war to kick off the 2012 holiday shopping season.

Sears and Kmart have announced they will waive layaway fees in stores and online through Nov. 17, according to an Associated Press report. Both stores usually charge $5 for an eight-week layaway and $10 for 12 weeks. Kmart's move comes three days after Wal-Mart said it was lowering its holiday layaway program fee to $5 from $15. The Wal-Mart holiday layaway program starts Sept. 16 and runs through Dec. 14 and will include more items than last year. Shoppers will get a service charge refund via Wal-Mart gift card when they pay off their layaway purchase. Toys R Us Inc. is cutting an upfront service fee for layaway orders in store from Sept. 4 through Oct. 31. After Oct. 31, a $5 service fee will apply.

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