Miriam Mendez spent more than two years evading Monroe County bench warrant before NYPD capture; original charges filed after $157 theft from Lincoln Avenue store
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY — A 48-year-old East Stroudsburg woman is in custody after NYPD officers in Queens arrested her Monday on a bench warrant that had been active for more than two years.
Miriam Palmira Mendez was taken into custody on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 6:50 p.m. The arrest ends a lengthy search for Mendez, who failed to appear for her preliminary hearing in the summer of 2023 and has been wanted by Stroud Area Regional Police ever since.
The Original Case
Stroud Area Regional Police were dispatched to the Walmart Supercenter at 355 Lincoln Avenue in East Stroudsburg on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 5:32 p.m. for a report of retail theft.
According to court records, loss prevention staff told police they observed Mendez conceal $157.46 worth of merchandise in a bag and attempt to leave the store without paying.
Officer Michael J. Yosh took Mendez into custody and transported her to the Monroe County Correctional Facility for processing. Criminal charges were filed on April 13, 2023.
Failure to Appear
The case was initially assigned to Magisterial District Judge Michael A. Wolbert before being transferred to Magisterial District Judge Michael R. Muth for the preliminary hearing.
Court records show Mendez was issued a summons on April 13, 2023. A certified summons was returned as undeliverable on May 9, 2023. Her preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 16, 2023, then continued twice—first to May 30, 2023, and again to July 18, 2023.
When Mendez failed to appear for the July 18 hearing, Judge Muth issued a bench warrant for her arrest.
Upgraded Charges
The original criminal complaint charged Mendez with first-degree misdemeanor retail theft under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3929(a)(1).
The warrant lists second-degree felony theft by unlawful taking under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3921(a)—an upgraded charge that suggests Mendez may have prior theft convictions on her record.
Under Pennsylvania law, theft of property valued under $200 is typically graded as a third-degree misdemeanor for first-time offenders. However, the grading increases to a second-degree felony when the offense is a third or subsequent conviction.
What’s Next
Mendez will be extradited from New York to Monroe County to face the outstanding warrant.
Court records show she had been assigned public defender Eric Carl Closs. Assistant District Attorney Richard Paul White is prosecuting the case for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
Her preliminary hearing will be rescheduled once she is returned to Monroe County.
DEFENDANT INFORMATION:
- Name: Miriam Palmira Mendez
- DOB: June 19, 1977 (Age 48)
- Sex: Female
- Race: Black
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Height: 5’5″
- Weight: 168 lbs
- Last Known Address: East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
CASE INFORMATION:
- Docket: MJ-43202-CR-0000108-2023
- OTN: R 460767-6
- Incident: 2023-008433
- Court: MDJ 43-2-02 (Judge Michael A. Wolbert / Judge Michael R. Muth)
- Status: Inactive — Awaiting Preliminary Hearing
TIMELINE:
- Monday, April 10, 2023: Shoplifting reported at Walmart, 355 Lincoln Avenue, East Stroudsburg; Mendez arrested
- Thursday, April 13, 2023: Criminal complaint filed; summons issued
- Tuesday, May 9, 2023: Certified summons returned undeliverable
- Tuesday, May 16, 2023: Preliminary hearing continued
- Tuesday, May 30, 2023: Preliminary hearing continued again
- Tuesday, July 18, 2023: Mendez fails to appear; bench warrant issued by MDJ Muth
- Monday, December 22, 2025: Mendez arrested by NYPD in Queens, NY
CHARGES:
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 3921(a) — Theft by Unlawful Taking (F2): Up to 10 years, $25,000 fine
WARRANT: Bench warrant issued July 18, 2023 by MDJ Michael R. Muth
ATTORNEYS:
- Defense: Eric Carl Closs, Esq., Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, 701 Main Street, Suite 301, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-517-3042
- Prosecution: Richard Paul White, Esq., Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, 701 Main Street, Suite 200, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-517-3119
ARRESTING AGENCIES:
- Stroud Area Regional Police Department (original arrest, Officer Michael J. Yosh)
- NYPD (warrant arrest, December 2025)
LOCATION:
- Walmart Supercenter, 355 Lincoln Avenue, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Mendez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.