BEDFORD — A Bedford woman was arrested early Monday morning after police say she used a knife to slash her neighbor’s swimming pool during a dispute involving vehicle keys and alcohol.
Nikki Burch, 38, was taken into custody on August 10, 2026, by the Lawrence County Police Department. She faces preliminary charges of public intoxication and criminal mischief.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Kaden Flynn, Lawrence County Dispatch received a call around 2:00 a.m. from a resident living in the 720 block of East Oolitic Road. The caller reported that Burch had come onto her property and stabbed her swimming pool.
The neighbor informed dispatchers that the confrontation began after Burch’s daughter brought her boyfriend’s car keys over to the neighbor’s house for safekeeping due to both adults being intoxicated. When Burch went to the neighbor’s residence to retrieve the keys, an argument broke out. The caller noted that Burch’s boyfriend was actively attempting to plug the hole in the pool following the incident.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officers Kaden Flynn and Kyle Long located Burch on the victim’s property.
Police noted that Burch was visibly intoxicated, exhibiting slurred speech, unsteady balance, and a strong odor of alcohol. At one point, Burch stumbled into an officer and had to lean against a patrol vehicle for support. Burch admitted to officers that she had consumed multiple alcoholic shooters before the incident.
According to court documents, Burch confessed to retrieving a knife from her residence and stabbing the neighbor’s pool out of anger after the two got into a verbal argument over the vehicle keys.
After being read her Miranda rights, Burch again admitted to damaging the pool. Officers placed her under arrest and transported her to the Lawrence County Jail.
Upon arrival at the facility, jail staff denied her initial booking after a preliminary breath test (PBT) revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .334%. Burch was subsequently transported to IU Health Bedford for medical evaluation.
After receiving medical clearance, Burch was returned to the Lawrence County Jail and remanded into the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
