From the Knox County Ky Sheriff's Department -
On August 28, 2023 at approximately 7:20 am Knox County Deputies responded to a burglary complaint at the Barbourville Convenient Store on KY 225 in Artemus.
The deputies learned during their investigation a female employee closed the store at 11: 00 pm on August 27, 2023 and intentionally left William McDonald inside. She locked the door from the outside and left the premises.
After taking several items and nearly $700 in cash, William McDonald unlocked the door from the inside, came outside the store, locked the door and broke the glass with a hatchet to make it look like the store had actually been broken into.
On August 28, 2023 at approximately 4:35 pm Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith and deputies located and arrested William McDonald age 50 of Trosper, KY and charged him with Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition-over $1000 and Criminal Mischeif-2nd Degree.
The female employee, Janie Bingham age 49 of Barbourville, KY, was also arrested and charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition-over $1000 and Criminal Mischeif-2nd Degree.
William McDonald and Janie Bingham were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center
A large portion of the cash and items taken were also recovered.
The investigation is continuing by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.