Bloomington – A routine audit of the evidence inventory at the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post launched a criminal investigation in late September of 2017 after money that was seized or recovered from investigations was determined to be missing from the evidence storage area.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of former ISP Evidence Clerk, Vera Gardner 55, of Bloomington just before 3:30 pm today after a warrant was issued through the Monroe County Circuit Court.
As part of the investigation, state police detectives determined what personnel, of which there were four, had access to stored evidence. Each of these department members were questioned as part of the investigation and information was developed that exonerated all but one of the employees. This information was later presented to the Monroe County Prosecutor and resulted in the issuance of the warrant to arrest Vera Gardner for the allegation of Level 5 Felony Theft.
Gardner had been employed by the Indiana State Police since April 18, 1994. During the last 13 years Gardner had worked as the Evidence Clerk at the Bloomington Post where she managed various items of evidence seized or recovered by Indiana State Police Officers.
On July 18, 2017, Gardner left her full time employment position as the Evidence Clerk and was placed on medical leave.
Prior to this investigation Gardner had no prior disciplinary record.
Specific to the arrest of Vera Gardner that occurred earlier today, the Indiana State Police has no further information available. Any additional questions should be directed to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
