Marion Man Sentenced For Multiple Meijer Thefts
KOSCIUSKO — A Marion man was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Thursday, May 10, on charges relating to a string of thefts that occurred in various Meijer stores.
Lee Curtis Coleman, 31, 1324 E. 38th St., Marion, was found guilty of two counts of theft, level 6 felonies.
On April 19, 2017, the Warsaw Police Department responded to a theft complaint at Meijer.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Coleman entered the store, placed several bottles of alcohol in a shopping cart and left without purchasing the items. He loaded the stolen alcohol into his vehicle and left the property. The stolen bottles were valued at $1,072.32.
On April 22, 2017, officers responded to a second theft complaint at Meijer.
Coleman completed the same actions he committed on April 19. The stolen bottles from the second occurrence were valued at $897.87.
According to the affidavit, Coleman is a suspect in 28 thefts, taking place in several different Meijer stores.
“I wonder if the arguments Mr. Coleman will make today are the same arguments he made in Muncie, in Kokomo, in Marion and in Anderson,” said Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz. “He’s got to answer for it.”
Coleman said he was homeless and was addicted to heroin at the time the thefts occurred. “I was going through a tough time in my life and was just trying to survive,” said Coleman.
Judge David Cates sentenced Coleman to a total of four years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, two years for each charge. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently but consecutive to sentences in other cases. Cates stated he would not be opposed to the sentences being served through Community Corrections if Coleman qualifies and remains qualified. He was ordered to pay court costs and fees.
Restitution in the amount of $1,970.19 was ordered. Coleman was also instructed not to set foot on any Meijer property.