Police: Suspect used pause in court proceedings to rob cars, try to sell GPS to its owner

VERNON, Conn. – VERNON, Conn. (AP) — Police said a Connecticut man who appeared at a courthouse to answer a larceny charge broke into several cars in front of the building, took a GPS unit and inadvertently tried to sell it to its owner. Police said the arrest of 50-year-old Thomas Peno on Wednesday was his 40th.

When he tried to sell the GPS to its owner, an argument ensued, and a bystander called police. He has been taken into custody by judicial marshals.

Peno was being held on $25,000 bail and is to be arraigned Thursday on charge of burglary, larceny and breach of peace. A court clerk said Peno is not yet represented by a lawyer.

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Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com