Erika Jean Nichols

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman has been charged with theft after taking an item from Walmart and then returning it for a gift card.

Erika Jean Nichols, 32, 533 E. Center St., No. 3, Warsaw, has had a charge of theft filed against her in Kosciusko Superior Court 3. The charge, originally a class A misdemeanor, has had a sentence enhancement raising the charge to a level 6 felony. Nichols was convicted of conversion in November 2011.

Warsaw Police were notified Aug. 29, 2017, by Walmart officials regarding a theft occurring Aug. 23. Officials told police video surveillance shows Nichols entering the store with a large black purse. It also shows her carrying a set of sheets she eventually hides in her purse and then leaves the store without paying.

Store officials then advise police the video shows Nichols returning to the store, carrying a set of sheets and going to the service desk to return the set for a gift card in the amount of $53.37. Nichols did not have a receipt for the sheets and used her Indiana identification card to make the return.

Court documents note Nov. 9, 2011, she was convicted of conversion and July 12, 2006, she was convicted of theft.

Nichols was held on $10,250 surety and cash bond.