Woman accused of burglarizing local furniture store on Christmas Day

Police investigated the burglary at Fitzpatrick Furniture.

A Corbin woman is behind bars after allegedly driving a truck through a local furniture store in an apparently burglary attempt on Christmas day.

About 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, Laurel County 911 received a call about an audible alarm going off at Fitzpatrick’s Furniture store on US25W, which is located in Laurel County near Corbin, according to a Kentucky State Police press release.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Chris McQueen was at his residence when he heard the alarm and went to check it out.

When he arrived at the store, McQueen discovered a box truck that had been driven through the inside of the furniture store.

Upon further investigation, police discovered that the box truck, which was used to commit the burglary, was owned by the furniture store, according to the release.

After watching video surveillance footage, a female suspect was identified as Penny J. Barnes, 44, of Corbin, the release stated.

Her physical description and a vehicle description were given to local law enforcement agencies in an attempt to locate her.

About 2:40 pm., the London Police Department notified KSP that an officer had located Barnes and arrested her on an unrelated complaint.

Barnes was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center charged with third-degree burglary, and theft by unlawful taking auto-$10,000 or more in connection to the furniture store case.

She is also charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, prescription not in proper container, and third-degree possession of a controlled substance, according to the detention center’s website.

Her bond is set at $25,000 cash, and she is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 27 at 9 a.m.

Trooper Millard Root is continuing the investigation. He was assisted by McQueen and members of the London Police Department.