Alexis Nicole Bahm, 28, of Cedar Lake, is facing new felony charges after Schererville police allege she was driving a stolen rental vehicle containing cocaine and drug paraphernalia while awaiting sentencing under a plea agreement in a separate Lake County drug case.
According to court documents, at approximately 1:45 p.m. on July 29, Schererville police received a License Plate Reader alert for a stolen dark gray Nissan Altima traveling near the Indiana-Illinois state line. An officer located the vehicle on U.S. 30, confirmed through law enforcement databases that it had been reported stolen, and initiated a felony traffic stop after the vehicle pulled into the Tiebel’s parking lot near U.S. 41.
Police said Bahm was the sole occupant of the vehicle. She exited while talking on her cellphone and smoking a cigarette before officers took her into custody.
According to the affidavit, Bahm immediately told officers the vehicle belonged to her boyfriend and insisted he had not reported it stolen. She allegedly became emotional, crying and repeatedly saying she did not know the vehicle was stolen and that she “could not go back to jail.” She also repeatedly stated that nothing inside the vehicle belonged to her and claimed she only had her cellphone, wallet and $10.
Police later confirmed the vehicle was owned by EAN Holdings LLC and had been reported stolen. A Merrillville Police K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from inside the vehicle. During a search, officers reported finding a purse containing a credit card bearing Bahm’s name, two glass pipes with burnt residue, and a small plastic bag containing a white powder concealed inside a chip bag. Investigators said the substance tested positive for cocaine using a TruNarc analyzer.
Court documents state Bahm continued telling officers that the purse and everything inside the vehicle belonged to her boyfriend and “his side chick.” She also reportedly admitted the two used drugs but claimed she did not know what type.
After again being advised of her Miranda rights, Bahm agreed to answer questions. According to the affidavit, she gave conflicting information about where she, her boyfriend and others lived before allegedly telling officers, “If I tell you guys where I got the drugs then you will let me go.”
Court records show Bahm was arrested while awaiting sentencing after signing a plea agreement in a separate Lake County drug case. The plea agreement, filed July 16, 2026, calls for Bahm to plead guilty to Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 5 felony. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony, Dealing in Cocaine, a Level 5 felony, and an additional Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 5 felony, at sentencing. During a July 20 change-of-plea hearing, the court took the agreement under advisement, ordered a pre-sentence investigation, and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 14, 2026.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed July 30, 2026:
Auto Theft — Level 6 felony
Possession of Cocaine (less than 5 grams) — Level 6 felony
Possession of Paraphernalia (Prior Conviction) — Class A misdemeanor (2 counts)
