Woman With Kids In Car Robs Hotel To Feed Crack Habit

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- A woman arrested this week following two hotel robberies, one of which was committed while her children sat unattended in her vehicle, told 6News Thursday that she did it to support a crack cocaine habit.

Amber N. Kuhn was arrested on two counts each of armed robbery, child neglect and theft.

Police said Kuhn robbed the Holiday Inn Express at 31 Maplehurst Drive on May 8 and July 19.

Detectives said Kuhn took her children, ages 2 and 7, with her during the first robbery and left them in the car.

"That is a little unusual when someone brings children at that young age ... to a crime like that, especially when displaying a weapon," said Brownsburg Police Chief Stephen Carroll.

"Knowing that I can't leave them at home, they'd have to go with me," Kuhn said. "They were sleeping."

Police said Kuhn turned herself in after the second robbery thanks to tips that poured in and surveillance video used to identify her car.

"After the first robbery, we received very few calls offering information," Carroll said. "After the second one … nearly a dozen were received and several either led us toward or named Kuhn as the person involved."

Kuhn said she took about $600 in the robberies.

"Yeah, I did a crime, and technically, I'm considered a criminal," Kuhn said. "I think my biggest problem is I'm an addict."

Kuhn said her drug addiction fueled a ravenous need for fast cash and pushed her to point a BB gun at the attendant and demanded money in each of the robberies.

"I think ... it was just an act of desperation -- a desperate woman who fell on desperate times," said Brownsburg police Detective Jennifer Pyatt.

Kuhn's children are now in the custody of her brother.

"From having the kids in my car, I am ordered not to have any contact with them and it's really bad," Kuhn said.

Police said the robberies are the only two reported in Brownsburg so far this year.