A Greenfield woman was arrested following a theft that occurred during the annual Fortville Police Dept. Shop with Public Safety event Dec. 8.
The event is funded by community donations and allows FPD officers to take children shopping for Christmas gifts. The kids participating in the program may not have the opportunity to purchase gifts otherwise due to family financial hardship.
On Dec. 10, Fortville Clerk Treasurer Melissa Glazier conducted an audit on the items purchased and came across an unauthorized transaction. FPD approved 30 children to shop, but there were 31 transactions completed at the Walmart in Greenfield, where the children were taken. FPD detectives began to investigate the incident as a possible theft.
Detectives identified Evelyn Turner from Greenfield as the person who completed the unauthorized transaction. Turner’s children participated in the program and were authorized to purchase items, but Turner purchased additional, unauthorized items during the event. Detectives interviewed Turner and then arrested her for theft, a level 6 felony. A search warrant was executed on her residence, where the stolen items were found. Marijuana and paraphernalia also were discovered. The FPD has given the stolen items to the Hancock Hope House, hoping it will aid another family that might be experiencing financial hardship.
Turner entered a guilty plea Dec. 13, and she has been sentenced to 60 days in the Hancock County Jail.
