Former liquor distributor charged in restaurant theft scheme

A Hastings restaurant was one of one of at least five businesses in Hastings targeted in a theft scheme involving a former liquor distributor. This week, Hastings Police charged Stephen Lamers, 40, Owatonna, with nine felony counts of theft by swindle (over $2,500, aggregating). Lamers allegedly stole more than $35,000 from April 2007 to August 2011 from the Hastings restaurant.