Two arrested for downtown Corbin vending machine thefts

This Coca Cola vending machine at Wyatt’s Auto Cleaning was one of several vandalized by thieves in downtown Corbin. Two arrests have been made in the case.

Corbin Police arrested two people Thursday in connection with a series of vending machine break-ins throughout the city that have occurred over the last several weeks.

Corbin Police Capt. Coy Wilson said 31-year-old Leah Rutherford and 31-year-old Melvin Fee, both of Corbin area each facing multiple charges of burglary and theft in connection with the burglaries that have occurred over the last two weeks.

“They are also being charged with fleeing or evading – second because they ran from us when we found them,” Wilson said.
Wilson said police secured video footage of the break–in at the laundry mat on South Main Street and several other incidents. Based on that footage, officers identified Rutherford and Fee as the suspects.

Officers, led by Detective Rusty Hedrick, located the duo Thursday afternoon and took them into custody.

“Fee has admitted to doing it,” Wilson said.

Other machines that were broken into were outside the Save-a-Lot on Falls Hwy., Dollar General on Falls Hwy., Gentry’s Garage on Falls Hwy., Wyatt’s Auto Detailing on North Main Street, Save-a-Lot at the Trademart Shopping Center and Poynter’s Garage.

Wilson said the video shows the individuals using some type of pry bar to force open the dollar changers on the machine and making off with the cash.

“Based on how often the machine is used and how often it is emptied, there could be a couple hundred dollars in there,” Wilson estimated, noting police did not recover any money they could connect with the burglaries.

Wilson said the investigation is continuing and it is possible Rutherford and Fee may face additional charges.

They have been lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center, where they are each being held on a $20,000 cash bond.
No court date has been set.