Former Elkhart County corrections officer faces theft charge

Tribune Staff Report

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Lori A. Phebus

Lori A. Phebus (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 20, 2008 at 4:07 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 4:11 PM EST

ELKHART — A former Elkhart County corrections officer accused of stealing almost $10,000 from the sheriff’s department over the past several months was formally charged this week.

Lori A. Phebus, who worked a county corrections officer from April 1990 to Sept. 29, was charged with three counts of theft, each Class D felonies.

She was taken to the Elkhart County Jail on Thursday morning and released on $9,000 bail.

The sheriff’s department began a preliminary inquiry Sept. 24 when a representative of the courts reported that a payment for fines and costs had not been received, police said.

An internal affairs investigation was started the next day when it became clear an employee’s actions may have been in question, according to the department.

The employee was terminated Sept. 29 after a second interview.

Friday, Nov 21 at 11:09 AM Annon wrote ...

Now let's see the justice system follow through with the proper punishment instead of brushing it under the rug because of who she knows and where she worked

Friday, Nov 21 at 11:05 AM Billy The Real wrote ...

Shes cute enough not to rob state of federal offices. It is our money, tax payers money she took. Did anyone checked if shes addicted to Las Vegas Casinos? If thats true, then she blew all the money on the pinball machine. Thats where all women loves to play and loose all her cash and the states too. But if anyone wants to marry find out if shes with someonelse. He may show up with a gun and try to get you for stealing the cute little girl that someonelse wants.

Friday, Nov 21 at 10:46 AM Anonymous wrote ...

i doubt if its jus 1 bad apple

Friday, Nov 21 at 4:08 AM SadSadSad wrote ...

Again, 1 bad apple ruins it for the whole bunch! I wonder where she got the bail money???

Thursday, Nov 20 at 9:33 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Race is becoming more of a factor here than I've ever seen it and I think it's because somebody continues to bring up the fact that if a white person is charged with a crime they are not referred to as 'probable crackheads'. I find this to be way off base. I think we've been equally cruel to pretty much everyone who has lined up against the blue wall to have their 'look at me now' photo taken. I think someones trying to make an issue out of a non issue. I think you see what you want to see.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 8:04 PM Anon2 wrote ...

People always say a person doesnt look poor. Poverty is not the only reason people steal. Greed is often the motivation, along with low moral character. It's also peculiar that some say she's innocent till proven guilty, but if it was a person of another race (living in SB) they would have immediately been called a crackhead or something. She might be a crackhead...might be the #1 customer. People say crack will make you steal from your own mama, why not a job of almost 20 years?

Thursday, Nov 20 at 7:36 PM Mark wrote ...

She's kinda' cute. Who's that standing with her?

Thursday, Nov 20 at 6:47 PM Krusty wrote ...

The money could not be returned because it was spent on cup cakes.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 6:39 PM Level Head wrote ...

maybe she was going through tough times, or maybe she flat out didn't do it! Innocent until the State can prove it otherwise, you know.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 6:24 PM JJ wrote ...

Well, the County is doing poorly but Dorito and Hershey's sales have gone way up! Seriously, she should have just robbed a Subway, Popeye's, or a bank. She would not have been caught.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 5:12 PM Anonymous wrote ...

No wonder city, county, state and federal offices say they don't have any money. The employees are stealing it!

Thursday, Nov 20 at 5:02 PM Corinne Wahl wrote ...

She does not look too poor to me, however looks may be deceiving. She is well fed, and well taken care of. But, may be she was going through taugh times and could not pay the credit cards that got piled up and max out and there was no way to pay the morgage because the rates continues to be so high and no raise in their work because they froze the raising of all salaries. That really makes anyone mad. Because everything else is going up and the salaries are not going anywhere and is not enough f

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:48 PM Sheriff Ricochet Rabbit wrote ...

I recommend the Greene County Jail. It has some unique benefits, if you know what I mean.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:23 PM Joel wrote ...

At least she'll be familiar with her new surroundings.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:18 PM Dick wrote ...

Pretty smart. What a good role model! A good mother figure.

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