![[e-mail]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/images/header/email-15x10.gif){kind=small}
Subscribe
BENSON, N.C. — Four public works employees for the town of Benson are accused of stealing scented candles from a vendor's tent at the Mule Days festival last weekend.
Authorities have charged Willard Byrd, Richard Hudson, Ricky Simon and William Tanner with felony breaking and entering and larceny.
Byrd is a public works supervisor and a 30-year employee of the town. Town officials said Byrd will use vacation time until his retirement in November. The other three workers have resigned.
All four men are free. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 9.
The police chief said he does not know why the employees would want to steal candles.
![[e-mail]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/icon_email-story.gif){kind=icon}
Get News Alerts to your Email & Cell Phone
![[READ STORY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/national_world/national/2013/05/14/12445890/12446751-1368816960-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2013/05/13/12441232/hahn-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/traffic/2009/07/23/5645694/beltline-100x75.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/04/12182235/12182236-1362457268-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/2010/08/30/8212390/8362364-1286459151-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/2007/07/30/1649447/1649447-1209833775-100x75.jpg)
WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments.