Community Corner
Police: GPS Thief Turned Himself In
A Southington man waited for police and told them he was the reason they were called following reports of suspicious activity at Tops Market.
They say there’s no such thing as an honest thief. Well, here’s an “honest thief” story you won’t hear everyday.
Southington police arrested a local man Friday afternoon after officers said he was sitting on the curb waiting for police to arrive following reports of a suspicious man in the parking lot of Tops Market and admitted to taking a GPS from an unlocked car.
John Sample, of 360 Burritt St. in Plantsville, was taken into custody on charges of third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny immediately following the incident and was released after posting a $500 bond.
Police were called to , around 1:40 p.m. Friday with reports that a man had been walking in the rear parking lot looking in vehicles, said Sgt. Lowell DePalma. One caller said she thought he had taken items from one car, police said.
When they arrived, however, officers were surprised at what happened next. Sample, 24, was sitting on the curb, wearing clothing which matched that described by callers, and flagged the officers down.
“I’m right here. You’re looking for me,” Sample told officers, according to a police report. “I knew you were coming so I figured I’d wait for you instead of wasting your time.”
Police said Sample, a former employee of the grocery store, told police he had taken a GPS from a Chevy that had it’s windows open and the door unlocked, but then second guessed his actions and attempted to take it back to the owner inside the store but couldn’t locate them.
After coming outside and walking around for a moment, the police report said Sample heard someone calling police and gave a description of him so he decided to wait.
Sample then lead police to his apartment across the street, led them inside and handed them a bag that had the GPS system in it.
Sample was known to police from previous cases, including one in 2005 in which he and two then 16-year-olds were arrested in connection with a string of car burglaries in the Blue Hills Drive and Scenic Drive neighborhoods.
Officials at Bristol Superior Court said Sample is due for arraignment on Aug. 15.
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