WARSAW — A Shipshewana man was recently arrested for being involved in a complex theft scheme that occurred at the Warsaw Walmart in August.

Vernard Glen Tillman, 57, 9010 West CR 280N, Shipshewana, is facing charges of corrupt business influence, a level 5 felony, and theft, a class A misdemeanor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a theft at Walmart on Aug. 20 and spoke to a loss prevention employee. The employee advised there was an active investigation for a theft that occurred the prior day when the same subjects returned to Walmart. They further advised that Tillman and four other subjects were involved in a coordinated effort to steal items. The four subjects were identified but have not yet been arrested.

On Aug. 19, Tillman and one of the other subjects loaded two fans and an automotive power station from a vehicle into a shopping cart in the parking lot. Another subject then enters the store and returns the merchandise which had been purchased the same day at the Plymouth Walmart, valued at $143.06. The subject then selected two DVD players and a wok and placed them in his cart. He then walked past the greeter, stated he couldn’t return his items because he forgot his ID, and left the store.

Several of the identified subjects then purchased a tool chest and a socket set. The receipt for those items was given to Tillman in the parking lot. Tillman then entered the store and selected an additional tool chest and socket set before leaving the store and showing the receipt he had obtained outside.

A warrant for Tillman’s arrest was served Nov. 27 and he was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail.