Cigarette bandit smoked out by TV

FAYETTEVILLE — A man sheriff’s deputies are calling the “Cigarette Bandit” will appear in a North Carolina court to face felony larceny charges for taking 26 cartons of cigarettes
that he stuffed down his pants.

Thirty-seven-year-old Kenneth Andre Kirk of Fayetteville is accused of stealing more than $1,500 worth of cigarettes from a convenience store in May. Deputies say he was caught on tape
stuffing the cartons down his pants while a clerk was helping customers.

Cumberland County sheriff’s detectives say Kirk surrendered Wednesday after his family begged him to turn himself in. Deputies said his relatives were tired of seeing him on TV.

Kirk was to appear in court Thursday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)