Accused Buckner’s burglar turns self in one year later

A Woodbine man linked to the August 2005 burglary of Buckner’s Restaurant in Corbin finally surrendered to police last week.
Kelly Ernest Denham, 37, turned himself in to Corbin Police last Wednesday nearly a year after the break-in he’s accused of took place.
According to Corbin Police Capt. Tim Helton, who is investigating the case, Denham broke into the restaurant through a side window in the early morning hours of Aug. 23, 2005, stole an undisclosed amount of money, then left. He was an employee of Buckner’s at the time, but never showed up for work again after the break-in.
Helton said he identified Denham as a suspect within 24 hours of the crime and even talked to him by telephone the next day. Surveillance video of the burglary was reviewed before Denham was tabbed as the culprit.
“He agreed to come in and talk with me, but never did,” Helton said. “Now, he just wants to get everything settled, I guess.”
Officers searched for Denham at his last known residence off Cumberland Falls Hwy., but weren’t able to locate him. Helton said he moved to another home in Woodbine where he now resides.
Denham has been charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft. He could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted of both offenses.
Helton said Denham is not facing any further charges for evading prosecution because he was never formally charged with a crime before he surrendered last week.
None of the cash taken in the burglary has been recovered, but police say Denham has been interviewed and is cooperating.