Arrests.
The alleged scheme occurred over an 8-month period.
An Upper Providence Township woman has been charged with a felony count of retail theft for allegedly scamming Redner’s out of nearly $1,600 by under-ringing merchandise at self-checkout registers on 51 occasions.
Lisa Van Diep, 57, of the 100 block of Farrington Court, was charged by Lower Providence Township detectives Dec. 6 with the offense, which occurred over an eight-month period at the 2850 Audubon Village Drive location, per an affidavit.
On Nov. 14, loss prevention reported to police that from Feb. 18 to Oct. 30, 2024, Diep carried out an under-ring scam on 51 occasions, according to investigators. An investigation by Redner’s following a random store audit and review of surveillance footage resulted in loss prevention staff identifying and documenting each incidence of theft, police said.
Police allege that Diep would use two different credit cards for transactions, 46 of them using a Mastercard and six using a Visa, at self-checkout registers. According to the complaint, self-checkout lanes are not equipped with scales designed to inhibit under-ringing or theft.
While checking out her groceries, Diep allegedly scanned the items and placed them in bags. However, when scanning items she planned to under-ring, Diep allegedly scanned a barcode printed on a small piece of paper rather than the barcode displayed on the grocery item.
Diep also would ring up produce items with an item code cheaper than the one she intended to purchase, police said.
Detectives said Diep used this method at all 51 documented thefts, resulting in a total loss of $1,571.47.
According to the complaint, Diep’s black Nissan Murano’s license plate registration was used to connect her driver’s license photo with surveillance footage from Redner’s.
Police initially charged Diep with 51 felonies, according to the affidavit of probable casue, but court records show she was arraigned Dec. 6 on one count of felony theft and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 9:45 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
