MONROE UNFILTERED: THE DAILY BUZZ | Oct. 12
Dick’s Employee Accused in $34K Return Scam, Swiftwater Event Center, Week Ahead
Monday, October 12, 2026
DAILY WEATHER
Columbus Day is a mostly good one. Any leftover showers should clear out early this morning, then mostly cloudy skies turn sunny, with a high in the low 70s. If you have the day off, the afternoon is the time to be outside, and if you are working, at least the commute should dry out. Tonight is partly cloudy with a low in the low 50s.
The workweek starts warm and ends wet. Tuesday is sunny and a little warmer, in the mid 70s, and Wednesday tops out in the mid to upper 70s. Thursday cools to the mid 60s, and showers return Thursday night and Friday, with Friday’s high only in the mid 60s.
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF $34K RETURN FRAUD SCHEME
A Stroudsburg Dick’s Sporting Goods employee is accused of running a return fraud scheme that cost the company more than $34,000, 28/22 News reported Friday.
The Charges. Melquan Hall, 29, faces corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds and organized retail theft charges, along with other related charges, according to 28/22 News. Police say he did it while working at the Dick’s in Stroudsburg. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
How Police Say It Worked. The investigation began in May, when managers flagged multiple returns. Police say further investigation showed Hall was using multiple credit cards that did not belong to him to place orders. Detectives say the evidence suggests he got the cards outside the company, bought merchandise and had it shipped to himself in Pennsylvania, or to addresses in North Carolina, Texas and New York.
Some of those orders were then returned to Dick’s stores in all four states, police say, and the returns were swapped for store credit loaded onto gift cards. Investigators say Hall then used the gift cards to buy items at Dick’s locations in Pennsylvania and New York.
The Bottom Line. The total loss was $34,473.72, according to police. The losses were charged back to Dick’s, making the company the victim.
What We Don’t Know. The report does not name the police department or say when Hall is due in court. We’ll update you when we find out.
THE DAILY RUNDOWN
Gas Prices Hold Steady. The average for East Stroudsburg is $4.41 per gallon, that is flat vs. $4.41 per gallon this time last week. That is below the state average of $4.46 per gallon, which is down 3 cents from a week ago, per AAA.
New Event Center Coming to Swiftwater. The Swiftwater Conference & Event Center is taking shape in Pocono Township, and 2027 reservations are already open, the Pocono Record reported Friday. The new conference center is tied to the Swiftwater Hotel (opened in 2024), located at 2060 Route 611 behind Desaki (both are owned by Dante Trapasso). The 13,000-square-foot center will have five venues, from a 700-square-foot room for 30 guests to a 4,500-square-foot ridge hall for 250 with a 75-foot bar. Catering will come from The Swiftwater’s restaurant, The Olivet. Construction is due to wrap up at the end of October.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monroe County Planning Commission (Tuesday, Oct. 13). The commission’s agenda includes the data center packages from Paradise and Middle Smithfield townships, which we covered Oct. 8, plus the Stroud Township subdivision and land development ordinance. Check the county’s posted agenda for the start time.
Paradise Township Planning Commission (Tuesday, Oct. 13). The agenda includes Paradise’s proposed data center standards.
Verizon Cell Tower Hearing, Smithfield Township (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m.). Supervisors hold the conditional use hearing on the proposed tower at 107 Shawnee Square Drive during their regular meeting at 1155 Red Fox Rd. It is streamed on YouTube and open by Zoom.
Coolbaugh Township Budget Work Session (Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.). The 2027 budget session is at the Municipal Center, 5520 Municipal Drive in Tobyhanna.