A woman was arrested Tuesday after allegedly stealing more than $6,000 worth of lottery tickets from a Casey’s General Store and engaging in a physical altercation with store employees and customers, police said.
Christine Nicole Simpson, 22, of Oil Trough, was taken into custody after police responded to reports of a theft at the convenience store in Batesville on Jan. 28. According to court documents, Simpson allegedly removed lottery ticket containers from the store’s counter after initially being told the registers were down for an update.
The store manager told police that Simpson had asked to use the restroom before returning to forcibly remove the lottery ticket display case. Security footage showed Simpson “bear hugging” the container and prying it from the counter before fleeing with three ticket containers, according to court documents.
During the incident, store employees and customers intervened, leading to a confrontation outside the store where lottery tickets were scattered on the ground. When Officer Samuel Stone arrived, he found Simpson being restrained by bystanders. Police said Simpson resisted arrest while being handcuffed.
Officers recovered wire cutters from Simpson’s jacket pocket. The stolen lottery tickets were valued at $6,412 and were reportedly active and redeemable at the time of theft.
Simpson is also suspected of a separate lottery ticket theft at another Casey’s location in Southside, according to her arrest affidavit.
Simpson is charged with three felonies: commercial burglary, theft of property, and robbery. She’s also been charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. Her bond was set at $30,000.
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