Couple Used Kids to Help Steal from Walmart, Police Say

A Tamaqua couple faces charges of theft, conspiracy and corruption of minors after allegedly using two children to help them steal from a local Walmart, according to officials.

Samantha Lynn Wagenhurst, 30, and Carlos Javier Martinez, 29, both of Tamaqua, were allegedly observed at the Upper Hanover Walmart placing numerous electronic items and DVDs in a cart, according to police.

Wagenhurst and Martinez then allegedly instructed the 13-year-old with them to push the cart past the registers, at which point he was stopped by store security, police said.

Martinez ran from the scene and was later identified, according to police; the other child was identified as a 4-year-old.

Judge Karen E. Zucker arraigned Martinez and Wagenhurst and bail was set at $10,000 unsecured for Wagenhurst and $10,000 cash for Martinez, who was unable to post and is at the Montgomery County Prison.