Contractor's Employee Charged with Job Site Theft

A McCracken County man was arrested on theft charges after he performed work at a local business.

Paducah Police say they were contacted Thursday by Christopher Black of Ray Black and Sons. Black said another contractor told him one of his employees may have taken memorabilia while working on a job inside the Coke Plant on Broadway.

Police went to the home of 29-year-old Christopher W. Rowell on Cumberland Avenue, and say they found several items that were taken from the job site. They executed a search warrant for Rowell's van and storage unit, and found more items from the Coke Plant. The total value of stolen items was estimated at $500. 

Rowell was searched as well, and police say they found a knife and a .22 caliber revolver.

Rowell was arrested for theft of property valued between $500 and $10,000, receiving stolen property valued under $10,000, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. 

Rowell was taken to McCracken County Jail.