Theresa Taddeo allegedly attacked two workers at Denovo Clothing while checking out; court records show 2018 conviction for possessing instrument of crime

STROUDSBURG, PA — A Stroudsburg woman charged with attacking two employees at a downtown clothing store — allegedly throwing display cases at them while checking out — was previously convicted of possessing an instrument of crime and criminal mischief, court records show.

Theresa Scafata Taddeo, 34, turned herself in at the Stroud Area Regional Police Department on December 10 after a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bail.

The charges stem from an incident on September 15, 2025, at Denovo Clothing at 588 Main Street in Stroudsburg. According to police, an officer was flagged down around 10:51 a.m. by someone reporting an emergency at the store.

When the officer entered, display cases had been knocked over and glass was broken throughout the store. The investigation determined that Taddeo had been checking out when she suddenly began throwing display cases and other items at both employees. Neither worker was physically injured.

But this isn’t Taddeo’s first brush with the law — and her criminal history includes a strikingly similar pattern.

The 2018 Case

Court records reveal that in August 2018, Taddeo was arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief and possession of an instrument of crime — a first-degree misdemeanor indicating she had a weapon or object she intended to use to commit a crime.

The case proceeded through Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. On December 10, 2019 — exactly six years to the day before her recent arraignment — Taddeo pleaded guilty before Judge Stephen M. Higgins.

She was convicted of:

• Possession of instrument of crime (M1) — 1 year probation
• Criminal mischief (M2, reduced from F3) — 6 months probation, concurrent

The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office represented her in that case.

A String of Theft Cases

The 2018 conviction wasn’t isolated. Court records show Taddeo accumulated multiple theft charges over the following years.

In 2021, she faced three separate retail theft cases in Monroe County, all filed in the Barrett Township magisterial district:

• MJ-43402-CR-0000212-2021: Retail theft, moved to non-traffic court
• MJ-43402-NT-0000529-2021: Retail theft, guilty plea December 16, 2021
• MJ-43402-NT-0000442-2021: Retail theft, guilty plea May 2, 2022

Then in 2024, she was charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. On January 21, 2025, she pleaded guilty to the theft charge — a third-degree misdemeanor — and the receiving stolen property charge was dismissed.

That case remains listed as “awaiting payment,” indicating Taddeo has not yet satisfied her financial obligations to the court.

Less than nine months later, she was inside Denovo Clothing throwing display cases at workers.

The Current Charges

Taddeo faces four charges in the new case:

• Criminal mischief – damage to property (F3) — A third-degree felony carrying up to seven years in prison. The felony grade indicates the alleged damage exceeded $5,000 or involved other aggravating factors.
• Simple assault (M2) — Two counts, one for each employee allegedly targeted. Each carries up to two years.
• Disorderly conduct – engaging in fighting (M3) — Up to one year.

The felony criminal mischief charge is particularly significant. In her 2018 case, the same charge was filed as a felony but later reduced to a misdemeanor as part of her plea deal. This time, prosecutors may be less inclined to offer the same consideration given her history.

Officer Michael P. Petruzzi of SARPD is the arresting officer. Taddeo has requested a public defender.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Kristina Anzini.

Case Reference:

• Defendant: Theresa Scafata Taddeo, 34
• DOB: February 26, 1991
• Residence: Stroudsburg, PA 18360
• Physical Description: White female, 5’9″, 220 lbs, brown hair, green eyes
• Aliases: Theresa Taddeo, Theresa Scafala Taddeo

Current Case:

• Docket: MJ-43201-CR-0000327-2025
• OTN: C 1016213-2
• Charges: Criminal mischief (F3), simple assault (M2) x2, disorderly conduct (M3)
• Offense Date: September 15, 2025
• Location: Denovo Clothing, 588 Main Street, Stroudsburg
• Warrant Issued: November 26, 2025
• Surrender Date: December 10, 2025
• Bail: $20,000 unsecured
• Preliminary Hearing: January 8, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
• MDJ: Kristina Anzini (43-2-01)
• Arresting Officer: Michael P. Petruzzi, SARPD

Prior Convictions:

• CP-45-CR-0001907-2018: Possession of instrument of crime (M1), criminal mischief (M2). Guilty plea December 10, 2019. Sentenced to 1 year probation.
• CP-45-CR-0000355-2025: Theft by unlawful taking (M3). Guilty plea January 21, 2025. Awaiting payment.
• Multiple 2021 retail theft convictions in MDJ 43-4-02.

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Taddeo is presumed innocent on the current charges until proven guilty in a court of law.