WILKES-BARRE — A jewelry store owner at the Wyoming Valley Mall who shot at least five bullets at a thief was given a sentence of up to two years in Luzerne County’s Intermediate Punishment Program.
Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. placed Michael Anthony Caruso, 28, of West Pittston, in the probationary program as well as 25 hours of community service for charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. Caruso admitted guilt to the charges on Jan. 22.
In court documents, Wilkes-Barre Township police stated that Caruso used a Glock 9mm to fire at least five rounds at a thief in the parking lot outside JC Penney and Royal House Buffet on Feb. 24, 2023.
According to court records, Caruso pursued the thief who had allegedly stolen items from his store.
No one was hurt, but a parked Dodge Journey was hit by a bullet.
According to police in court records, the parking lot was crowded with vehicles and people.
“It was a very foolish decision on my part,” Caruso stated in court. “I saw him reach in his waistband; at that moment I got scared. It happened in seconds.”
Caruso’s lawyer, Mark Bufalino, mentioned that his client followed a thief and thought the thief was going for a weapon or a firearm since the incident happened very quickly.
Sklarosky mentioned that the worth of jewelry is not worth someone getting hurt or killed as he handed down the sentence.
