Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Sgt. Sara Lamkin has been charged with one count of misdemeanor theft after she was caught shoplifting at a Target store and allegedly tried to call in a favor to avoid consequences.
According to court documents, a loss prevention employee at the Target on East Southport Road saw Lamkin concealing items inside a plastic storage tote on February 1.
She was also observed “ticket switching,” replacing price stickers on more expensive items with those from cheaper products. Surveillance footage later confirmed she skipped scanning over 10 items at self-checkout and used incorrect price tags on others. The total value of the stolen goods, mostly cosmetics, amounted to $185.
When confronted by security, Lamkin did not initially identify herself as a police sergeant but admitted she worked with law enforcement and could lose her job if the theft was reported. She offered to pay for the items, but the loss prevention officer insisted on filing a report due to the total amount stolen.
Lamkin then texted an on-duty Indianapolis officer, asking him to respond to the call. The officer complied and assisted in writing up a trespass order that Lamkin signed. However, the security guard noticed discrepancies in the police report, including missing details and an incorrect case number. Investigators later reviewed Lamkin’s texts, in which she claimed she had simply forgotten to pay for the items.
The responding officer, who admitted to knowing Lamkin “in passing,” told investigators he didn’t notify a supervisor about the incident until after his shift ended. Surveillance footage corroborated the security guard’s account, showing Lamkin concealing items and switching price tags.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Lamkin on Thursday. IMPD confirmed that Lamkin, a 17-year veteran assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, has been placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation. IMPD Internal Affairs will conduct a review, with findings to be presented to Chief Randal Taylor for further action.
