State police said a Tamaqua couple used two children to steal close to $600 in merchandise from Walmart in Upper Hanover Township.

        According to state police, Skippack barracks, Carlos J. Martinez, 29, of Tamaqua and Samantha L. Wagenhurst, 30, of Tamaqua entered the store Aug. 15 around 5:30 p.m. with 4-year-old and 13-year-old boys.  Martinez and Wagenhurst allegedly put numerous electronic items and DVDs into the cart and then instructed one of the children to push the cart past the registers without paying.

        Police said the child, a 13-year-old boy, identified as Wagenhurst’s son, was confronted by security with $583.23 worth of merchandise.  Police said Martinez fled the store on foot, but Wagenhurst was arrested at the scene.  Martinez arrived at state police’s Skippack barracks a short time later and was taken into custody, police said. 

        Martinez and Wagenhurst were charged with retail theft, corruption of minors and criminal conspiracy.  They were arraigned by Judge Karen Zucker of District Court who set bail at $10,000 unsecured for Wagenhurst and $10,000 cash for Martinez. 

        Martinez was remanded to Montgomery County Jail pending a preliminary hearing. 

        A preliminary hearing is scheduled for both Martinez and Wagenhurst Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. in Red Hill District Court.