Cell Phone Found at Burglary Scene Leads ISP to an Arrest 

Vigo County—This morning at 9:30, Indiana State Police officers served a Vigo County Division 1 arrest warrant on 52-year-old Lorna Lee Cottom at 7125 North Stevenson Street, Terre Haute, IN. Cottom was incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on one count of Burglary (Level 4 felony) and one count of Theft (A Misdemeanor). 

The arrest stems from an ISP burglary investigation that began on July 7, 2017, at 6727 North Clinton Street in Vigo County. During the investigation, officers developed information that led them to believe on or around July 3, 2017, Cottom forcefully entered through the basement window of the North Clinton Street home and removed crystal figurines, tools, cameras and other miscellaneous items totaling approximately $1571.00, along with a personal stamp collection estimated at $8760.00. The items belonged to the homeowner and another tenant. 

Part of the evidence found at the scene included the lost cell phone of Lorna Lee Cottom, an acquaintance of the victims. 

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may occur. 

The lead investigator was ISP Detective Tony Guinn. Assisting were the ISP Cyber Crimes Unit and Master Trooper Chip McKee. 

A picture of Cottom attached. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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SGT. JOE WATTS