Vianel Rodriguez‑Martinez arrested at Ephrata Walmart for retail theft, evading arrest
Ephrata police say a 54-year-old man from West Palm Beach was caught on video trying to leave Walmart with two speaker systems and fled on foot before being detained and jailed on $35,000 cash bail.
On July 31, 2026 at about 12:05 p.m., Ephrata Police responded to Walmart, 890 E. Main Street, after loss prevention identified a man stealing merchandise. Officers say Vianel Antonio Rodriguez‑Martinez, 54, of West Palm Beach, attempted to leave without paying for two speaker systems valued at $928, fled on foot when approached, and was later detained, arrested and arraigned by MDJ Landis. Rodriguez‑Martinez faces Retail Theft (M1), Criminal Conspiracy—Retail Theft (M1), and Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot (M2) charges and was committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $35,000 cash bail; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.