Victims of the more than one dozen burglaries say they're not confident they will get much money in restitution.
Three new homes were added to the long list of burglaries allegedly carried out by a Pen Argyl couple who gave up their rights this morning to a preliminary hearing.
Felicia Carhart, 28, and Jeremy Carhart, 31, of the 1400 block of Second Street, are accused of conspiring to burglarize several homes over the summer in Upper Mount Bethel, Lower Mount Bethel, Washington, Plainfield, Bushkill and Moore townships. Jeremy Carhart would usually act as lookout while Felicia Carhart went into the homes to steal jewelry, cash and firearms, according to court records.
Police say the Carharts left the homes relatively undisturbed and tidy, leaving victims to discover a break-in sometimes days after it had happened.
More than 20 victims showed up at District Judge Todd Strohe's small courtroom in Bangor for the proceedings.
By giving up their right to preliminary hearings, the Carharts acknowledged there was enough evidence in the case to proceed to Northampton County Court, where they'll both face trial unless they plead guilty or some other disposition of the case occurs.
Dressed in a tan prison jumpsuit, an emotional Felicia Carhart agreed to plead guilty to a portion of the charges at her formal arraignment scheduled Feb. 6 in county court, according to her attorney Matthew Goodrich.
Under the agreement, Felicia Carhart would admit to three counts of burglary and one count each of conspiracy to commit burglary, attempted burglary and theft of a firearm.
"There is no deal with respect to a sentence at this point," Goodrich said. "That would be up to the judge."
Authorities find more burglary victims
Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Erika Farkas said discussions on a plea agreement for Jeremy Carhart would have to happen at the county court level.
"He's been a lot less cooperative," Farkas said. "We will work on that down the line."
Jeremy Carhart was marched into the courtroom about an hour after his wife's hearing was finished. A few victims remained for his court appearance and spoke to him as he was escorted to his seat.
"Are you happy?" one older woman asked.
"Not really," he responded.
The victims scoffed at Jeremy Carhart's reply before he was ordered not to engage with those in attendance.
Among the charges sent today to county court were three more burglary counts onto Felicia Carhart's already 12 sets of charges, and two more conspiracy charges for Jeremy Carhart. Homes in the 1200 block of Mill Road in Plainfield Township and the 100 block of Pine Street and the 900 block of Lake Minsi Drive in Upper Mount Bethel Township were burglarized between July 11 and Aug. 12, according to court papers.
Farkas said the charges connected with the Lake Minsi Drive home were withdrawn for Jeremy Carhart because Felicia Carhart told authorities she was solely responsible for that break-in. Three guns and jewelry were reported stolen from that home, court records say.
Victims not confident about restitution
Authorities say they will seek full restitution in the case, but victims aren't confident that they'll see much. A figure on what will be owed to the victims has not been determined.
"I wouldn't hold my breath on that," said Barbara Frutchey, 71, of Upper Mount Bethel Township.
Frutchey said she didn't notice her home had been burglarized until she went to look for a watch and noticed it and all her gold was missing. Jewelry from her late and ailing relatives and those diamond rings belonging to her husband's late mother were nowhere to be found, she said.
"That was hard," she said. "We were going to hand it down to the grandchildren."
A husband and wife from Bushkill Township, who asked not to be named, said they didn't expect to see much in the way of restitution.
"We all know we're not going to see it," the man said, adding that most of what was taken — mementos — can't be replaced anyway. "And that's what hurts."
A man from Upper Mount Bethel Township, who also declined to give his name, agreed.
"It's not the monetary value, anyway," he said. "It's the sentimental value of what was lost."
The Bushkill Township couple noticed a broken basement window about an hour after the woman came home, they said. The Upper Mount Bethel Township couple said they didn't notice their broken window for two days.
But perhaps more unsettling than the items stolen is the psychological toll that comes with such crimes.
"You just feel so violated," the Bushkill Township man said.
"When I hear even the doorbell ring, I just jump up," said the wife of the man from Upper Mount Bethel Township. "I'm a wreck now."
The Carharts remain in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail each.