Cierra Michelle Piper

KOSCIUSKO — An Elkhart woman was arrested after stealing a van.

Cierra Michelle Piper, 25, 23873 River Manor Blvd., Elkhart, is being charged with auto theft, a level 6 felony.

On June 4, 2017, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of auto theft.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers spoke with a male subject who advised that a second male subject had possession of his maroon 2002 Mercury van to do repair work.

The second male advised that on June 2, 2017, he went inside his residence to speak to his wife about taking a female, later identified as Piper, back to Elkhart. When he went back outside, Piper and the van were gone.

Both males advised they had contacted Piper by phone. She refused to return the vehicle.

On June 17, 2017, Elkhart County police officers located the van in the possession of a female subject.

When the vehicle was returned, the owner of the van found a bill of sale in the vehicle. The van was sold for $100 to a female subject, and his name had been forged on the bill of sale. He advised Piper had posted photos of herself with the van on social media.

Piper admitted she had taken the van and that the title for the vehicle was left in it. She denied selling the van.

Officers spoke with the female subject who bought the van. She admitted to signing and filling out the bottom of the bill of sale, forging names. She advised Piper called her from jail and told her she wanted to sell the van and for money to be put on her jail account.

Piper was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on July 16, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.