Taylor Ann LeMaster

Jaimie Nicole Albert

KOSCIUSKO — Two Kosciusko County women were arrested after stealing items from Wal-Mart and possessing methamphetamine.

Taylor Ann LeMaster, 26, 929 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw; and Jaimie Nicole Albert, 28, 2176 North CR 875W, Etna Green, are each being charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony; theft, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

LeMaster is additionally being charged with theft sentence enhancement, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 9, officers responded to a theft in progress at Wal-Mart. A loss prevention employee stated that she observed Albert and LeMaster conceal jewelry and tools on their person and inside their purse without paying for them.

The two left the store northbound on Walton Boulevard in a white Chevrolet Impala. As officers drove toward the vehicle, they observed the vehicle stop and saw a female subject run around the corner of the building.

Officers located LeMaster and Albert on the east side of the building. Albert stated that she ran away from the vehicle because she has a suspended driver’s license and didn’t want to get in trouble for driving.

A K9 officer conducted an outer air search of the Chevrolet Impala and made a positive alert.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a black case that contained two syringes, a cut straw containing residue and a plastic bag and container containing a crystal-like substance. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers also found a black purse containing jewelry items with torn tags and a Stanley wrench. The loss prevention employee confirmed these as stolen items.

LeMaster was previously convicted of theft on Nov. 26, 2014, and June 6, 2017.

LeMaster and Albert were booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on May 9. LeMaster was booked on a $5,250 surety and cash bond. Albert was booked on a $5,850 surety and cash bond.

Both have initial hearing dates at 8:15 a.m. June 14, in Kosciusko Circuit Court.