Philadelphia Residents Face Retail Theft Charges In Lower Moreland

LOWER MORELAND, PA — Two Philadelphia residents are facing serious retail theft charges after being accused of stealing close to $700 worth of merchandise from a township hardware store.

Lower Moreland Police have arrested Kathleen M. Olevsky, 36, and Luis F. Hernandez, 46, both city residents, in connection with a theft incident at Fisher's Ace Hardware back in early September.

A warrant had been issued for both of their arrests following the shoplifting incident, and records show that Lower Moreland police ultimately arrested and charged the pair on Dec. 22.

Records from Magisterial District Court show that both Hernandez and Olevsky were charged with counts of retail theft and receiving stolen property.

According to a police report, officers spoke with hardware store employees who reported that the pair had stolen various items from the store totaling $688 in value before fleeing the store back on Sept. 10, an act that was caught on store surveillance camera.

The report says that the pair had loaded up the items on the store's checkout counter, and after an employee scanned the items, Olevsky placed them into a bag she retrieved from under her arm and walked out of the store. Hernandez then also fled the store.

Court records show that both are scheduled to have preliminary hearings on Wednesday.

Records also show that Hernandez faces similar charges out of Lower Salford Township for an unrelated theft incident. Specifics of those charges were not immediately available.