Woman with eleven previous convictions for shoplifting waived preliminary hearing in Wawa shoplifting case on Wednesday

The suspect allegedly stole $106 worth of groceries by hiding them in a backpack.

A Richland Township woman with 11 prior shoplifting convictions waived all charges against her in district court during a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine in connection with a shoplifting incident at Wawa in Hatfield.

Hatfield police have charged Elizabeth Irene Aquino, 47, of the 200 block of Yankee Road, with shoplifting and receiving stolen property, as well as with intentional possession of a controlled substance, for allegedly shoplifting more than $100 worth of groceries by concealing items in a backpack, which also contained 12 hypodermic needles, according to court documents.

On Oct. 21 at 10:23 a.m., police were dispatched to Wawa, 2480 Bethlehem Pike, for a report of a suspicious woman, identified as Aquino, hiding items in a black backpack, according to the affidavit.

Upon arrival, police found Aquino in Wawa carrying a partially open backpack containing numerous food items, police said.

Aquino, authorities allege, was seen walking to the drink cooler, selecting a drink and then bending down with the backpack in front of her, in an attempt to hide what she was doing, putting the drink in the backpack and standing again on. .

When she noticed the police at Wawa, Aquino began walking backwards down the aisles with the backpack in front of him, police allege. At one point, she walked to the cash register but didn’t pay anything and instead went to the restroom for several minutes, police said.

Aquino left the restroom, walked through the store and tried to leave through the front door but was stopped by police, according to the complaint. According to police, she was asked to open the backpack, which contained several food items. Once apprehended, a search of the backpack revealed drinks, snacks and candy totaling $106.51, according to the complaint.

In addition, 12 capped hypodermic needles were used to inject heroin and methamphetamine, and a bag containing seven round green pills was found in the backpack, police said.

Aquino admitted the pills were Klonopin, police said.

According to court records, Aquino is still being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $77 bail, which includes a conditional release. A formal arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 11 in Common Pleas Court.

All suspects and accused persons are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.