Paducah Man Faces Burglary, Intimidation Charges

A Paducah man has been arrested on felony burglary and intimidation charges.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department says deputies responded in July to a report of a burglary at a vacant home on Kentucky Dam Road in the Reidland area. The 87-year-old property owner told police 37-year-old Michael Kepner had entered the home without his permission and stole several items. The owner also reported that Kepner had stolen items from the carport area. The victim told deputies that he had already seen many of the items in the back of Kepner’s vehicle and had retrieved them himself.

Deputies said they spoke to Kepner, who told them that the reported burglary was a mistake and that he would speak to the victim. A short time later, deputies got a call from the victim, who told them everything was ok. Deputies said they were unable to locate Kepner that day.

Detectives continued the investigation and learned that Kepner had blocked the victim from leaving the home and forced him to call and tell deputies everything was ok. Detectives also learned that all but a few of the stolen items had been returned to the owner.

Kepner later called deputies, but would not tell them where he was. Detectives arrested him Thursday at a home on Maple Street after getting a tip about his location. He's charged with 3rd degree burglary and intimidating a participant in the legal process, both class D felonies.