Three people have been charged with retail theft in Mahoning Township, stemming from incidents occurring at the Walmart store.

Ashlyn McCartney, 20, of Jim Thorpe is charged as a result of an incident at 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 27.Loss prevention personnel at Walmart said McCartney placed merchandise that she did not purchase into shopping bags. She then attempted to leave without paying for the concealed items valued at $184.46.When store personnel attempted to stop her, she fled in a vehicle. The vehicle was located on Mahoning Drive by Lehighton Police. Chief of Police Audie Mertz said McCartney has been charged with retail theft, flight to avoid apprehension and driving under suspension. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.Bruce Schleicher, 33, of Lehighton, faces charges following an incident at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 17.Mertz said Walmart personnel reported that Schleicher concealed writing utensils and left the store without paying for the items. When loss prevention attempted to stop him, he fled.Schleicher was identified through security footage at the store. He has beeen charged with retail theft, flight to avoid prosecution and receiving stolen property. A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Feb. 25.Mertz said Schleicher was previously arrested by township police in 2013 for retail theft at the Giant supermarket.Philip Brinich, 35, of Tamaqua, was charged with attempting to gain a refund on an air rifle he hadn't purchased.Mertz said store employees said Brinich removed the air rifle from a store display. He then took the air rifle to the customer service counter and attempted to return it for a $242.74 refund, police said. Brinich has been charged with retail theft. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.