Staff Report

Brandon Alexander Rice

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was recently arrested after allegedly stealing merchandise from Walmart five times.

Brandon Alexander Rice, 38, 3762 W. Old Road 30 Lot 23E, Warsaw, is charged with five counts of theft, all class A misdemeanors; and five counts of theft with prior convictions, all level 6 felonies.

On Nov. 13, 2020, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office detective was contacted by Walmart employees regarding thefts committed by Rice and Bambi S. Swope, 39, Warsaw. The thefts occurred over the course of several days. Rice and Swope were both apprehended on Nov. 6, 2020, by the store’s asset protection employees.

On Sept. 22 and Oct. 7, 2020, Swope purchased merchandise but did not scan some items. The total loss to Walmart was $5.81.

On Sept. 28 and Oct. 27, 2020, Rice purchased merchandise but did not scan some items; the total loss to Walmart was $19.96.

On Oct. 15, Nov. 3, and Nov. 6, 2020, both Rice and Swope purchased merchandise but did not scan some items. The total loss to Walmart was $52.55.

Rice was convicted of theft in Kosciusko County in September 2002.

For these thefts, Rice was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on April 5, 2022, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.

Swope has already been sentenced in this case on one charge of misdemeanor theft. She received a one-year sentence on probation and was ordered to pay $55.60 in restitution to Walmart.