KOSCIUSKO — A burglary investigation in Elkhart County led to Kosciusko County charges of forgery, fraud and identity deception.

Kristine Rose Baker

Kristine Rose Baker, 30, 200 E. Maple St. J51, Millersburg, is being charged with forgery, two counts of fraud and identity deception, all level 6 felonies.

On March 9, officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office responded to a burglary in progress. A white 2016 Nissan Altima was located on scene of the burglary. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered various stolen items and personal property belonging to Baker.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Baker and a male subject were located near the vehicle. Baker told officers her name was Rachel Yoder and then both subjects refused to speak any further.

H & L Motors, Warsaw, was the registered owner of the Nissan. The company advised that the vehicle was rented to a Rachel Yoder on Feb. 23. Officers spoke with the real Rachel Yoder who advised that she did not rent any vehicles. She suspected that her brother’s girlfriend, Baker, may have rented the vehicle in her name without her permission or consent.

An employee of H & L Motors provided officers with a copy of the rental agreement, a copy of Yoder’s drivers license and a copy of Yoder’s credit card. The employee verified that the female who rented the Nissan presented Yoder’s license and credit card. The female subject signed the lease agreement as Yoder. A six person photo array was shown to the employee and the employee identified Baker as the subject who rented the vehicle.

Yoder then told officers that her credit card had been used without her permission or consent at H & L Motors for $124.26, Kohl’s for $255.67 and Sunoco for three purchases totaling $48.89. Yoder advised that she let her brother and Baker use her vehicle while her purse was left inside the vehicle.

All of the credit card charges and the vehicle rental occurred within Kosciusko County.

Baker was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 7, with a $6,000 surety and cash bond.