Thursday, May 21, 2009

Deputy Eric Kennedy Arrested for Stealing Football Cards

A Polk County Sheriff's deputy could lose his job after being accused of stealing from a Casey's convenience store.

Polk County Sheriff Bill McCarthy said Wednesday that Eric Kennedy, 36, was on duty and in uniform when he walked into this Casey's near Highway 65 in Bondurant.

The store manger saw him put several packs of football trading cards in his pockets and leave without paying for them.

"It's beyond me," McCarthy said. "I absolutely do not understand that."

The Manager called the Sheriff's Department and they installed a hidden camera. When the footage seemed to show Kennedy taking more cards, Kennedy was arrested and charged him with fifth-degree theft.

Investigators said they found boxes of trading cards in his squad car. They said they think he was selling the cards online to buyers all over the country.

The stolen cards were worth about $140, investigators said.

"I've been around long enough to know that people and people and they succumb to weakness," McCarthy said. "It's disappointing and it does reflect on the department, unfortunately."

McCarthy said most of his 150 deputies are good workers. He said he has put Kennedy on suspension and may base his fate on the outcome of his legal case.

"We have to move forward and not have him part of the sheriff's office," said McCarthy.

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