(La Porte, IN) - Allegations of an attempt to steal hundreds of dollars in food could come at a cost for three La Porte area residents as Jason Hurt, 44, along with Nancy Jorgenson, 81, of Rolling Prairie, and Keegan Lazo, 35, of Hudson Lake have been charged with Theft.

 

The charge against Hurt was elevated from a misdemeanor to a Level 6 felony due to him having a prior theft-related conviction, police said.

 

According to court documents, on March 15th, officers were called to Walmart on a report of a shoplifting in progress.

 

The investigation revealed Jorgenson and Lazo were in a self-checkout aisle placing grocery items in Walmart bags without scanning them, and Hurt was helping to bag them all.

 

Hurt reportedly told officers he had nothing to do with what was going on, and was only shopping there with his wife and her mother.

 

Police said the stolen items, worth $620.00, were immediately returned to store workers to place back on the shelves.

 

Jorgenson and Lazo were given a summons to appear in court on the allegations instead of being arrested due to not having a prior conviction.