A Noblesville woman is facing a stack of felony charges after police say she swiped nearly $1,000 in high-value LEGO sets from the Barnes & Noble on Mercantile Boulevard, then blasted a witness with an aerosol spray while making her getaway. The incident happened on Feb. 23 and kicked off an investigation that leaned heavily on security-camera footage to track down a suspect.
The Noblesville Police Department arrested 27-year-old Paris Daniels and charged her with robbery resulting in bodily injury (a Level 3 felony), battery by means of a deadly weapon (Level 5), theft of property between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6) and additional counts, according to WIBC. The station reports the haul, valued at just over $800, included a LEGO Harry Potter Sorcerer’s Stone Collector’s Edition, a LEGO Disney Classic 101 Dalmatians Puppy, a LEGO Art Vincent Van Gogh Sunflower and two LEGO Icons Shelby Cobra sets. A witness who tried to intervene was allegedly sprayed in the eyes with what police described as an “aerosol spray-type agent” as the suspect left the store.
Why retailers lock up pricey sets
Stores across the country have been tightening security around expensive toy lines like LEGO as theft and organized retail crime climb, with some retailers shifting popular sets behind counters or into locked cases, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Coverage and loss-prevention experts say collectible sets and minifigures are especially tempting targets since they are easy to flip online, a trend that has pushed retailers to rethink displays and step up security tactics.
How police say they ID'd Daniels
Investigators used FLOCK cameras to help identify Daniels, then moved in after reviewing footage, WIBC reports. The station also notes that Daniels has prior theft convictions in Hamilton and Johnson counties, along with a previous auto-theft conviction in Marion County.
Legal stakes
The robbery count is filed as a Level 3 felony under Indiana law. Level 3 felonies carry a fixed prison term of three to 16 years, with an advisory sentence of nine years, according to state sentencing statutes. The Indiana Code details the ranges and notes that the final sentence depends on the court, any plea agreement and the defendant's criminal history.
Daniels' case is pending in Hamilton County, where upcoming court records will spell out the next steps as prosecutors and defense attorneys prepare for hearings.
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