Keiyana Washington allegedly pocketed $157 using stolen merchandise in fake refund scheme; bench warrant issued after she failed to appear

EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY — A Bronx woman who was arrested in 2023 for allegedly running a return fraud scheme at the East Stroudsburg Walmart is now wanted after failing to appear in court for more than two years.

Stroud Area Regional Police are seeking information on the whereabouts of Keiyana S. Washington, 45, who faces a second-degree misdemeanor theft by deception charge. Magisterial District Judge Michael A. Wolbert issued a bench warrant on November 20, 2025, after Washington failed to show for her preliminary hearing.

The case has been inactive since late 2023.

The Scheme

According to the criminal complaint, SARPD officers responded to Walmart at 355 Lincoln Avenue on August 1, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. for a report of retail theft. Loss prevention had detained a woman inside the store.

Store surveillance footage showed Washington selecting merchandise from the sales floor, then walking it directly to customer service without paying. She presented the items for a return and received a $157.58 refund — money Walmart never actually owed her, since she had never purchased the items in the first place.

The tactic is a common retail fraud scheme known as “return fraud” or “wardrobing,” where shoplifters exploit store return policies to convert stolen merchandise into cash or store credit without ever leaving the building with unpaid goods.

Officer Brett M. Labar took Washington into custody at the scene. She was transported to Monroe County Correctional Facility for processing before being released.

Failed to Appear

Charges were filed on September 27, 2023. Court records show Washington was served with a summons and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 31, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Michael R. Muth. That hearing was continued to November 7, 2023.

Washington never appeared. The case went inactive, and more than two years passed before Judge Wolbert issued the bench warrant last month.

SARPD posted Washington’s information to Crimewatch on December 1, 2025. Her last known address is in the Bronx.

Charges and Potential Penalties

Washington faces one count of theft by deception (false impression), a second-degree misdemeanor under Pennsylvania law. If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison and fines up to $5,000.

The charge applies when someone intentionally creates a false impression to obtain property — in this case, allegedly presenting unpurchased merchandise as a legitimate return to fraudulently obtain a refund.

Anyone with information on Washington’s whereabouts is asked to contact Stroud Area Regional Police or submit an anonymous tip through the Monroe County Crimewatch page.

CASE REFERENCE

• Defendant: Keiyana S. Washington, 45
• DOB: August 19, 1980
• Last Known Address: Bronx, NY 10473
• Physical Description: Black female, 5’5″, 160 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
• Docket: MJ-43202-CR-0000287-2023
• OTN: R 520162-6
• Charge: Theft by deception – false impression (M2)
• Offense Date: August 1, 2023
• Warrant Issued: November 20, 2025
• Warrant Type: Bench warrant
• Status: Active warrant, awaiting preliminary hearing
• MDJ: Michael A. Wolbert (43-2-02)
• ADA: Richard Paul White
• Arresting Officer: Brett M. Labar, SARPD
• Location: Walmart, 355 Lincoln Avenue, East Stroudsburg

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Washington is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.