Kruse faces more theft charges in PA

The following was provided by our news-gathering partner the KPCNews.com :

LEBANON, Pa (KPC News) -- DeKalb County businessman Dean Kruse was charged with theft Wednesday when he appeared before a Pennsylvania judge on unrelated similar charges, the Star in Auburn reported.

Kruse, 70, was in Dauphin County District Court for a preliminary hearing on charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. Kruse is accused of never paying a man $38,000 for an antique vehicle Kruse’s company sold at an auction in 2008.

At his court appearance, Kruse then was arrested by Lebanon County, Pa., detectives in connection with an alleged theft at a classic car auction in 2009 at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, according to a news release from the Lebanon County District Attorney’s office.

Kruse could not be reached for comment. In the new case, Kruse is charged with theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. Authorities allege Kruse, doing business as Kruse International Auctions, defrauded a Delaware couple of proceeds from the sales of three vintage automobiles consigned to Kruse to be sold at auction.

Kruse was arraigned before District Judge Maria Dissinger and released on his own recognizance after processing through the Lebanon County Booking Center.

A preliminary hearing in the Lebanon County case is scheduled for Jan. 27. A formal arraignment in the Dauphin County case is scheduled for Feb. 23.