Rent-A-Center Default Leads to Felony Charges for Pottstown Woman

A Pottstown woman is facing multiple felonies after she allegedly signed for more than $5,700 in furnitue and electronic equipment from Rent-A-Center, but failed to make a payment.

Lauren Clarke, 30, of the 200 block of Manatawny Street, is facing charges of felony theft by deception, felony theft of leased property and felony receiving stolen property, according to the Pottstown Police Department.

The report states that police were dispatched to Rent-A-Center on High Street on March 20 for a report of a theft. The store's manager informed police that Clarke had allegedly signed contracts to rent a living room set, a Playstation Move, an accessory stand and a plasma television on Jan. 23, but never made the initial payment.

In an effort to arrange payment or have the merchandise returned, Rent-A-Center tried multiple times to contact Clarke, sending certified letters and notification from legal counsel, but all attempts failed, the report states.

As a result, the store's manager chose to press charges, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

A Second Incident

On the same day, police were dispatched to the Rent-A-Center regarding Clarke, the store manager also reported a second theft, though at a much smaller value.

Raymond Gasper, 34, of the 200 block of East High Street, was charged with misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, theft of leased property and receiving stolen property, according to the Pottstown Police Department.

The report states Gasper signed a contract to rent-to-purchase a laptop, but allegedly ceased to make a payment after paying the initial fee.

A warrant has also been issued for his arrest.

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