Pennsylvania Man Held on $50,000 Bond and Charged With Felony After Shorting Store 43 Cents

A Pennsylvania man is being held on a $50,000 bond after he shorted a convenience store 43 cents for a bottled drink, Lehigh Valley Live reports. 

Joseph Sobolewski, 38, visited a store last month that was promoting a deal for two 20-ounce Mountain Dew bottles for $3. Sobolewski came in, picked up a bottle of Mountain Dew, put two dollars on the counter, and walked out. The problem is the promotion was only applicable if the customer bought two bottles, which meant the bottle was actually $2.29, plus tax. 

The cashier confirmed everything about the interaction, claiming she walked outside to confront Sobolewski about being 43 cents short, but he allegedly told her that she was given the correct amount before driving off.  

Pennsylvania law dictates the first charge of retail theft of items totaling less than $150 comes with a summary offense. A second time is treated as a misdemeanor, and a third is considered a third-degree felony, regardless of the amount. The site points out similar third-degree felonies include involuntary manslaughter, carrying a firearm without a license, and institutional sexual assault.