Driving In The Dark Leads To Traffic Stop, Discovery Of Counterfeit Bills, Theft
KOSCIUSKO — A Plymouth woman is facing charges after an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling without headlights on.
Christina Szymanowski, 40, 700 Berkley St., Lot 330, Plymouth, is being charged with counterfeiting and theft, both level 6 felonies.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 8:20 p.m. Dec. 28, 2018, an Indiana State Police officer observed a vehicle traveling without headlights on. The officer activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle.
The officer approached the vehicle and observed a male driver and a female passenger. The passenger was identified as Szymanowski. The officer detected the odor of marijuana and also noticed a leafy, green substance in the lap of the male driver, along with a fifty dollar bill and a hundred dollar bill on the console.
Both occupants were instructed to exit the vehicle and were immediately separated. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers located multiple items of merchandise that appeared to be stolen. It was determined that the items came from Meijer.
Officers also located a clear plastic bag containing a green, plant-like substance that field-tested negative for marijuana. The male driver advised that the substance was synthetic marijuana. The male was then transported to the Elkhart County Jail and booked.
The money located on the console was determined to be counterfeit. Szymanowski was transported to the Kosciusko County Jail. Syzmanowski allegedly advised that the items in the vehicle were stolen from Meijer. She stated that the male drove her to Meijer and that she went inside and stole the merchandise with his knowledge.
Upon arrival at the jail, Szymanowski informed officers there was more money in her purse that was given to her by the male subject. She provided three $100 dollar bills. All three bills were determined to be counterfeit.
The stolen merchandise was returned to Meijer on Dec. 29 and found to have a total value of $949.87.
Szymanowski was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on Friday, Dec. 29, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.