WEST PITTSTON – A West Pittston woman turned herself in Tuesday to theft and fraud charges, alleging she defrauded a Shamokin couple as they planned a vacation to Italy.

Eileen M. Miner, 69, of Atlantic Avenue, accepted $9,130 ​​from the couple for a vacation in northern and southern Italy, but did not turn in tickets or return funds because the vacation was canceled, according to court files.

Miner faces similar charges recently filed by South Abington Township and Archbald police in Lackawanna County Court.

Miner was arraigned by District Judge David Barilla of Forty Fort on charges of deceptive trade practices, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal use of a communication facility and access device fraud.

Charges were filed by the Wyoming Area Police Department. Miner was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Shamokin man in early 2023 contacted Thompson Tours to inquire about a North and South Italy vacation promoted by Miner.

The man made an online advance of $2,390 for himself and his wife, which included trip cancellation insurance, the complaint said.

Police in the complaint say the man made the last deposit of $6,740 in person at Thompson Tours on Atlantic Avenue, West Pittston, in December 2023.

Shortly after making the second deposit, the man began to experience medical problems and advised Miner to file an insurance claim to cancel the vacation.

Miner told the man that a second trip to northern and southern Italy was planned for October 2024 as there was no need to cancel the holiday.

Police say the man continued to experience medical problems in 2024 and was unable to go on holiday to Italy in October 2024.

Unable to travel, police allege in the complaint that the man advised Miner in early September 2024 to file a claim with the insurance company to cancel the vacation. Over the next several weeks, Miner told the man that he had submitted the vacation cancellation request and emailed him a receipt and tracking number, but did not refund the man’s funds.