Crime & Safety

Shoplifter's Getaway Car Caught on Camera, Police Say

Thanks to the 'eye in the sky' at Target, police report a security officer witnessed a theft and was able to see the license plate number of the get-a-way car and call police.

South Whitehall Police responded to an alleged shoplifting incident at Target on Cedar Crest Boulevard that has now resulted in theft and possession of drug charges.

Police report that a Target security officer called them at 11:22 a.m. on Jan. 14 and said he observed a white man, later identified in police records as Robert Anthony Tedesco, 28, of 117 S. 5th St., Emmaus, take a jawbone speaker valued at $299.99 off the shelf and place it into a grey plastic bag. The security officer saw the incident with surveillance cameras.

The store security officer told police he saw Tedesco leave the store without paying for the speaker and get into the passenger side of a silver Hyundai SUV parked in the lot. He was able to witness these actions and see the registration plate of the vehicle using his surveillance equipment. 

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Court records say police located the Hyundai in the 800 block of Cedar Crest Blvd., near Tilghman St. The driver of the car was identified as Robert G. Counterman Jr., 48, of 117 S. 5th St., Emmaus.

Police report they asked Counterman to get out of his car and proceeded to "pat him down." Records say police found 1 SD Card holder with a plastic package filled with methamphetamine in Counterman's front pocket.

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The target security officer responded to traffic stop and identified Tedesco as the person who stole the Jawbone. Police reportedly found the grey bag Tedesco used to carry out the Jawbone speaker in the back seat.

Both men were arrested and Counterman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and Tedesco was charged with retail theft.

                                   Arrests do not indicate a conviction


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