Staff Report

Tiphanie Autumn-Paige Nichter

WARSAW — A Warsaw teenager was recently arrested for allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of money and merchandise from Lowe’s while she was employed at the store.

Tiphanie Autumn-Paige Nichter, 18, 203 Leedy St., Warsaw, is charged with theft, a level 6 felony.

On Dec. 30, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer went to Lowe’s regarding a theft by an employee. Upon arrival, the officer met with Nichter and the store’s manager.

According to court documents, Nichter told the officer she stole merchandise and money from the store. She said she began stealing from Lowe’s in the beginning of November 2021 and had continued stealing until Dec. 30, 2021. Nichter told the officer she took gift cards, food, electronics, various merchandise and money directly from the registers.

A Lowe’s asset protection employee provided a written statement that was signed by Nichter to the officer. In that document, Nichter said she stole $1,154.09 from Lowe’s. Nichter admitted to stealing merchandise, as well as taking money after transactions and creating false transactions to take money.

The asset protection employee also said he reviewed surveillance footage that showed multiple instances of theft committed by Nichter. He said the investigation was ongoing but provided a document that showed the earliest incident of theft involving Nichter was Nov. 20, 2021, with the most recent theft discovered being Dec. 19, 2021.

Nichter has already been arrested and released on her own recognizance. She has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31.