Four charged in theft ring where more than $11,000 in products were stolen from lake-area Lowe’s

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Four people have been charged in an alleged theft ring that resulted in more than $11,000 of products to be taken from an Osage Beach Lowe’s over a two-month period.

Christy Schulte, of Brumley, was charged in Miller County with six counts of stealing more than $750. Gary Whittle, of Brumley, was charged with two counts of stealing more than $750. Lori Cotton, of Jefferson City, and Samuel Deweese, of Barnett, were each charged with two counts of stealing more than $750 and two counts of misdemeanor stealing. Warrants have been issued for their arrests.

According to the probable cause statements, Schulte was an employee at the Lowe’s. Corporate investigators tipped off law enforcement on July 8 about a series of thefts that occurred since April 15. Schulte was accused of letting her brother, Whittle, walk out of the store with several items and he did not pay for them.

Whittle, Cotton and Deweese were allegedly seen taking carts filled with items several times from April 15-June 30, the statement says. The thefts totaled $11,359.35 in stolen items, the statement says.