Akron woman found guilty of 3 theft-related felonies

Nikita Nelson, 25, of Akron, was found guilty of three theft-related felonies after a two-day jury in Kosciusko Superior Court.

An Akron woman has been found guilty on three criminal charges for theft this week after a two-day jury trial in Kosciusko County. 

Nikita Nelson, 25, of Akron, was found guilty on Aug. 27 of two counts of theft, both Level 6 felonies, and theft of a firearm, a Level 5 felony. Nelson’s sentencing will take place in the Kosciusko Superior Court at 10 a.m. Sept. 26.

It was reported that on March 28, 2023 police searched Nelson's Fulton County residence after a search warrant had been served regarding burglaries that had happened in both Fulton and Kosciusko counties. Nelson's cellphone was seized during the search and reportedly contained several incriminating photos of items a Warsaw detective believed to be stolen property.

One of the photos taken on Nelson's phone on March 16, 2024 revealed a bow and arrows. Coincidentally, a burglary in Pierceton had been reported the same day and included missing items such as firearms, money and compound bows being stolen from the residence. The items were estimated to be valued at around $2,800. When the Warsaw detective showed the photo to the Pierceton resident who had reported the burglary, the victim confirmed that the bow and arrows in the photo belonged to him. 

The Warsaw detective also found a photo of three rings and a necklace that appeared to match items reported stolen from Bowers Jewelry around the time the photo was taken. A Bowers Jewelry representative later confirmed that the rings and necklace were the items that had been reported stolen. The stolen jewelry had a total value of $3,353.

It was further reported that officers discovered addition photos of firearms on Nelson's phone that had been taken on Feb. 11, 2023. In 2022, another man who had reported multiple firearms being stolen from his residence identified seven of the firearms as being his, and estimated them to be worth around $5,000 total. 

A press release from the Warsaw Police Department stated that an extensive investigation conducted by the Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office, Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and the Indiana State Police resulted in Nelson's arrest. Nelson is also likely facing further corresponding charges for additional thefts in Fulton and Kosciusko counties.

Anyone with relevant information regarding this investigation should contact WPD’s detective division at 574-385-2206.