Harlan man arrested for theft of Bonnesen’s candy scale

Officials with Bonnesen’s 5 & 10 Store contacted the Atlantic Police Department at about 11:15 a.m. on Saturday about a shoplifter, and reported the theft of the candy scale that had been part of their candy display since 1951 when Bonnesen’s opened.

According to online court reports, officials with the store had noticed a male subject who was walking around the store. They observed him walking around the back of the candy counter and putting the scale into a black bag he was carrying and exited the store. They were able to identify him as Kenneth Harding Dempsey, 71, of Harlan. Store officials posted pictures of the subject on Facebook, asking if someone knew him or saw him, and to call the police.

The post was put up just before noon, and had 449 shares and many comments, some with information, like one that said he had been seen at a local store.

At 1:19 p.m. a citizen called and reported seeing a man who matched the description, who was walking along Highway 71, southbound just south of the Valley. A sheriff’s deputy came upon the subject and detained him until a police officer arrived. His black bag was checked for weapons, and none were found, but the scale was in the bag. He was transported to the Cass County Jail, and EMS checked him out. The police officer tried to talk to him, but all Dempsey would say was that he was “a thief and a liar.” He was advised that he was under arrest for theft third, an aggravated misdemeanor.

The Cass County Sheriff’s inmate roster for July 22-25 noted Dempsey was booked in on Saturday, July 23 at 2:35 p.m. and released on Sunday, July 24 at 8:40 a.m.

Dempsey appeared for a hearing for initial appearance on Tuesday, July 26; a preliminary hearing is set is set for Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.