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Nanticoke police say homeless couple took items from cars parked near grocery stores.
Edwards
Karasinski
NANTICOKE – A homeless pair confessed to police they stole purses from cars parked near grocery stores to support their heroin addiction.
Jason R. Edwards, 27, and Tanya Karasinski, 23, were captured Thursday in Nanticoke by city police after allegedly attempting to snatch a purse from a vehicle in front of Fetch’s Market in Plymouth.
The duo confessed to three other purse snatchings near shopping centers on the same day in Edwardsville, Wyoming and Shavertown.
Edwards and Karasinski were stopped about one block away from Weis Markets in Nanticoke, where they were spotted leaving in a stolen Pontiac Grand Am, police said.
Police said they found purses, wax paper used to package heroin, metal spoons and hypodermic needles in the vehicle.
Karasinski, who initially gave officers a false name, was a fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for allegedly fleeing after previously being arrested by the U.S. Secret Service.
Edwards told police he took the car so he could get around and have a place to sleep, according to arrest papers. He also confessed to snatching purses near Edwardsville West Side Mall, Gerrity’s Market, Wyoming, and Thomas’ Market in Shavertown, according to police.
Police said Karasinski corroborated the purse thefts but maintained she had no idea that the vehicle was stolen.
They were arraigned and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Edwards and Karasinski were jailed at Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 and $10,000 bail, respectively.
Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for Sept. 8.