Guilty plea in ice cream bandit case

Samantha Stevens, 31, has pleaded guilty to charges of theft of property and criminal trespass — closing a case that was opened this autumn when it was discovered that she had entered the freezer area of a local restaurant and consumed ice cream.
According to an affidavit filed in Boone County Circuit Court on Oct. 15, shortly before 7 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 1, law enforcement was dispatched to the Town House Cafe for a report of a theft.
Corporal Hunter Brantley responded to the call and upon arrival, he was advised that someone had entered the restaurant’s storage container — which is located in the back of the building, and eaten their ice cream and chocolate syrup. A purse was left at the scene. Items in the purse indicated it might belong to Stevens.
Brantley parked by the Dollar General building located near the restaurant and observed a female walking out of the alley which runs behind Town House Cafe. The officer asked the individual if her name was Samantha and she responded that it was. She then admitted to eating the ice cream.

Stevens was transported to the Harrison Police Department where she was initially being charged with commercial burglary, a class C felony. A plea agreement signed in November reduced the charges to theft of property and criminal trespass.
For the offense of theft of property, Stevens was sentenced to 49 days in county jail and 9 months probation. For the offense of criminal trespass, she was sentenced to 30 days in jail. Stevens was permitted credit for jail time already served.
In addition to court fees and a $500 fine, Stevens was ordered to pay $200 restitution to Town House Cafe.