SCRANTON — A Pittston couple is behind bars after allegedly breaking into the Boscov’s department store at the Marketplace at Steamtown on Christmas Day to go "shopping."
Morgan Maleski, 32, and Michael Hoban face multiple felony charges following a holiday heist that was initially overlooked due to a lack of obvious forced entry.
A suspicious "shopping" trip
The incident began just before noon on Thursday when Scranton police responded to a burglar alarm at the downtown mall. Upon arrival, a patrolman encountered a loss-prevention officer who had detained Maleski inside the store.
According to the criminal complaint, Maleski told officers she had simply come to Boscov’s to do some "Christmas shopping" and claimed she found the door open. Because officers did not initially see signs of a break-in, Maleski was briefly released.
The investigation took a sharp turn minutes later when store security discovered that Boscov’s had indeed been burglarized. A closer inspection revealed that a piece of glass had been removed from a parking lot entrance door, which was then propped open to allow entry.
Police reviewed surveillance footage, which reportedly showed Maleski and Michael Hoban entering the store through the tampered door. The footage contradicted Maleski's earlier claims and linked the pair to the theft of merchandise.
Charges and incarceration
As of Sunday, both suspects remain in the Lackawanna County Prison after failing to post $50,000 bail each.
Maleski, of Elizabeth Street in Pittston, has been charged with:
Burglary and Criminal Trespass
Retail Theft
Criminal Conspiracy
Possession of a Controlled Substance
The couple is awaiting further court proceedings. This incident marks a notable breach of security at the Marketplace at Steamtown, which has remained a central retail hub for the city of Scranton.
