Woman Convicted of Stealing $2,205 at Casino
A federal jury found a South Bend woman guilty of theft after she took money from a casino employee's dropped purse.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Financial Crime
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A federal jury convicted South Bend resident Toliver of theft from Four Winds South Bend Casino, and she was later sentenced for the crime. The theft occurred on the morning of December 28, 2025, when she took $2,205 from a purse an employee had dropped.
Why it matters
The case shows federal prosecutors pursuing theft at a local casino and holding a defendant accountable even after repeated denials to tribal police. It also underscores how a single lapse in a dropped-property situation can lead to a criminal conviction.
Toliver was convicted by a federal jury of theft and has since been sentenced, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for northern Indiana. The extraction does not state the specific sentence imposed or any restitution order.
The players
Four Winds South Bend Casino
A casino in South Bend, Indiana, operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, where the theft took place.
Pokagon Tribal Police
The law enforcement agency of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians that questioned Toliver about the missing money.
The details
On December 28, 2025, a casino employee dropped a money purse at Four Winds South Bend Casino, and Toliver picked it up and removed $2,205 before leaving. When questioned by Pokagon Tribal Police, she repeatedly denied taking the money before a federal jury found her guilty.
Timeline
December 28, 2025: Toliver takes $2,205 from the dropped purse at Four Winds South Bend Casino.
November 7, 2026: Coverage of Toliver's sentencing is published.
Legal Context
Theft at tribal casinos is generally prosecuted in federal court because these facilities sit on tribal land, a jurisdictional arrangement that differs from ordinary state theft cases. This conviction follows that pattern of federal prosecution for offenses committed at gaming establishments on reservation lands.
Casino patrons who drop belongings or find lost property are reminded that keeping items that are not theirs can lead to criminal charges. Visitors to Four Winds South Bend Casino should report found money to staff rather than taking it.
The takeaway
Found property belongs to its owner, and returning it promptly is the lawful choice. Taking money from a casino employee's dropped purse, even briefly, can result in a federal conviction.
Further reading
For more on similar cases, browse Financial Crime coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIMS.
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