Court briefs

WILKES-BARRE – An Edwardsville man charged with taking a woman’s purse in the parking lot of a Wilkes-Barre convenience store was sentenced Tuesday to 16 to 32 months in state prison.

John Hayden Calk, 28, of Pulaski Street, was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge Tina Polachek Gartley on a charge of robbery. Calk pleaded guilty to the charge in January.

According to court papers, police responded on June 21 to the area of the Quick Stop on Spring Street for a report of a man stealing a woman’s purse. Calk approached the woman when she was coming out of the store and walking toward her vehicle. Calk grabbed the woman’s purse and fled on North Sherman Street, police said.

Polachek Gartley said Calk will receive 176 days credit for time already served and must pay $140 in restitution to the woman.

WILKES-BARRE – A West Hazleton woman charged with taking jewelry from a department store in Hazle Township was sentenced Wednesday to four days of time served in prison to nine months.

Stephanie Diana Baran, 25, of West Madison Avenue, was sentenced by county Judge David Lupas on a charge of retail theft. Baran pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday.

Baran was immediately paroled and ordered to stay out of Boscov’s Department Store.

According to state police at Hazleton, on Jan. 5, 2012, police were called to the Boscov’s in the Hazleton Laurel Mall for an alleged retail theft.

A loss prevention officer told police he saw Baran take earrings, a necklace, a ring, a watch and bracelets and place the items in a bag. Baran then left the store without paying for the merchandise, police said.