January 5, 2018 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports the arrest of Candace Harper, 24 of Center.
On November 7, 2017, Farmers State Bank contacted the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) in regards to an employee theft. SCSO Investigator Carmen Fears met with bank officials November 8 and was informed that Harper had allegedly stolen $14,142.25 during her shift on October 20.
Bank officials met with Harper on November 1 to discuss the missing funds. Bank officials told Fears that Harper wasn’t sure what happened to the missing funds but the till could have possibly been miscounted. Bank officials told Harper she was being terminated because she did not follow policy of reporting a shortage in her till before leaving. Bank officials gave Harper the opportunity to return the missing funds by November 3 without pursing any involvement with law enforcement. The money was not returned by that date.
Fears met with Harper on November 22 at the SCSO. During the course of the interview, Harper admitted to taking the money on October 20.
Warrants were issued and Harper was arrested on December 14. She posted $5,000 bond and was released the same day.
Submitted by Leah Chase
