Cigarette bandit surrenders

The man identified by police as "the cigarette bandit" surrendered to investigators Wednesday morning.

Kenneth Andre Kirk, 37, of the 4000 block of Airline Drive, turned himself in to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office just after 12 a.m., according to a news release.

"Kirk decided to turn himself in at the request of his family, who said they were tired of seeing his face on local television stations," the release said.

Kirk is accused of stealing 26 cartons of cigarettes, valued at $1,500, from the Lake Lynn Short Stop store at 3563 Gillespie St. in May, the release said.

The cigarettes were taken from the manager's office while she assisted customers, the release said.

Kirk stuffed the cartons into his baggy jeans and walked out of the store, the release said.

Investigators identified him from a surveillance tape and had asked Tuesday for the public's help in finding him.

Kirk was charged with larceny. Bail was set at $2,000.