Staff Report

Karly Ann Hughes

WARSAW — An Argos woman was recently arrested after allegedly stealing an iPhone from a package before it was delivered.

Karly Ann Hughes, 26, 9674 20B Road, Argos, is charged with theft where the value of property is between $750 and $50,000, a level 6 felony.

On Feb. 19, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a theft report. A woman said she ordered an iPhone 15 online and received the package on Feb. 17. However, the phone was missing from the package.

According to court documents, doorbell camera footage showed a FedEx delivery driver running to the woman’s door to leave the packages on Feb. 17. The package containing the woman’s phone was supposed to have required a signature for delivery. However, the online system stated a signature was provided.

The officer was able to locate an ecoATM transaction where a woman sold an iPhone with an identity number matching the one stolen from the package. The ecoATM was in Plymouth, with the transaction occurring on Feb. 16. The individual who provided identification for the transaction was Hughes.

On March 15, a Warsaw detective received information that Hughes was employed at a FedEx facility in South Bend.

On May 1, the detective received requested files from FedEx through a subpoena. It was discovered that Hughes unloaded the trailer containing the iPhone package. The package’s weight also diminished between when the package left Chicago and when it was unloaded in South Bend.

Hughes also received a red flag alert while leaving the South Bend facility through a security checkpoint. However, security did not check Hughes’ person.

After being questioned by a FedEx security specialist, Hughes admitted to taking the iPhone 15 and pawning it at an ecoATM.

The value of the stolen iPhone is $1,199.76.

Hughes was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 3.