Alleged Short Change Trick Leads to Theft Charge for Penacook Man

SALEM, NH - A local man with a history of theft convictions and other charges was arrested this week for allegedly passing a short change trick to bilk a store out of more cash, according to police.

Kenneth Hebert, 41, of Snow Street in Penacook, was arrested at 12:54 p.m. on April 27, 2016, for theft by deception, a felony, due to two prior convictions.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link which explains New Hampshire Patch's police log name removal policy.

Officers were sent to the Dunkin’ Donuts on North Broadway for a report of a man at the drive thru reportedly scamming employees for money.

An employee alleged that the man – later identified as Hebert – bought an iced coffee with a $50 dollar bill and was handed back his change. After that, he allegedly started to complain that his change was short $20.

“When Kenneth began making an argument with the employee, the manager took an addition 20 dollar bill out of the register and handed it over to Kenneth who accepted it and began to walk away,” according to a court affidavit.

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The officer viewed the surveillance footage of the incident and alleged that Hebert accepted the change for the $50, dropped a $20 bill on the floor, and then claimed he was short on his change.

Hebert reportedly left in a gray vehicle with a temporary plate, which was later identified as a Mitsubishi Galant. The vehicle was later located at the drive-thru at Wendy’s where police arrested him.

The officer found that Hebert had two prior convictions for receiving stolen property out of Concord District Court so the charge was elevated to a felony. He was also out on parole, so he was held on $2,500 cash bail.

In 2012, Hebert was arrested for possession of controlled drugs, a felony, three counts of sale of controlled drugs, all felonies, a bench warrant, and a violation of probation or parole charge. The warrant charge was out of Laconia District Court; the drug dealing reportedly occurred on Loudon Road in May 2012.