Staff Report

Elizabeth Kay Stump

Christian Michael McQuade

WARSAW — Two people are facing charges after allegedly breaking into a Warsaw residence.

Christian Michael McQuade, 30, 27 EMS B59 Lane, Warsaw, is charged with residential entry, possession of cocaine, counterfeiting, and theft with a prior conviction, all level 6 felonies; and criminal trespass and theft, both class A misdemeanors.

Elizabeth Kay Stump, 41, 322 N. 900E, Pierceton, is charged with residential entry, possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a syringe, all level 6 felonies; and criminal trespass, a class A misdemeanor.

On Feb. 25, a North Webster Police officer went to the Circle K gas station in North Webster regarding a counterfeiting complaint. An employee said a man, later identified as McQuade, used three $20 bills to purchase items. It was later discovered the bills McQuade used were counterfeit.

Surveillance footage from the store was also used to positively identify McQuade as the suspect.

On March 6, the officer spoke with McQuade about the incident via telephone. McQuade admitted to using counterfeit money to purchase items at the store and said he would come to the police station for a formal interview. However, he never contacted the officer to schedule an interview time.

McQuade has a prior conviction for theft in Kosciusko County from February 2023.

On April 11, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of two unwanted individuals in a Warsaw residence. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies saw Stump leaving the residence. Stump told the deputies she worked on the residence on April 10 and was at the home to meet her boss in order to get paid.

Officers also found McQuade in the residence and immediately took him into custody after discovering he had an outstanding warrant for the aforementioned theft case. The deputies located a bag in the home that Stump said belonged to her. She said there was a syringe in the bag since she’s diabetic; however, the syringe tested positive for meth.

Upon searching McQuade’s person, officers found an orange case containing cocaine.

The residence’s homeowner said nobody had permission to be inside the home.

McQuade and Stump were both booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on April 11.