On Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 1616 hours, the Ephrata Police Department was dispatched to Walmart, 890 E. Main St., Ephrata Township for a shoplifter in custody. Walmart loss prevention had a male in custody, later identified as Michel Martinez Bandera, 35, current resident of Ephrata for not ringing up $67.60 worth of food items at self-checkout. Martinez Bandera walked past all points of sale without attempting to pay full retail value. Martinez Bandera was arrested and transported to the Ephrata Police Department for processing. Martinez Bandera was issued a non-traffic summary citation for Retail Theft and released. Martinez Bandera is presumed innocent.