Authorities in Harlan said Thursday a man and woman from Omaha were arrested Wednesday (2/29) on theft charges following an incident at the “Do it Best” Hardware Store, in Harlan. According to the Harlan Police Department, 40-year-old Terry Cottonwood and 34-year-old Peggy Robitaille were taken into custody during a traffic stop as they attempted to leave town. Video security footage showed the pair allegedly taking items which had not been paid for, from the hardware store.  Cottonwood and Robitaille were charged with 4th degree theft, possession of stolen property, and ongoing criminal conduct.  Cottonwood was also charged with failure to have a valid drivers license and failure to have proof of insurance. That same day, 64-year-old Dennis Peters, of Harlan, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  Peters was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

Officials said also, 18-year old Brett Wilke, of Harlan, was arrested February 24th, on three counts of Ongoing Criminal Conducts,  three counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Prohibited Acts. The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation. And, on Feb. 22nd, a complaint was filed in Shelby County District Court against 52-year old Kenny Carl, of Omaha, following a reported theft at the NAPA Store in Harlan. Carl faces a charge  of 5th Degree Theft. That same day, 18-year old Johana Torres, of Harlan, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order, and, a complaint was filed in court against 23-year old Theodore Behrens, of Harlan, who faces a similar charge.

Harlan Police report also, 43-year old Mark Boardman, of Portsmouth, was charged Feb. 19th, with 5 counts of identity theft, following an investigation into the theft from a residence in Harlan, and use of, a stolen credit card.