The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Police: Trio took copper piping from empty house
TORRINGTON — Three men were arrested June 5 after they removed copper pipe from a vacant house, police said.
According to a report, Torrington police officers responded to Starview Drive on a call about a suspicious vehicle in the area.
Officers met with the caller, who claimed to have seen the vehicle in front of a vacant home on the street, police said.
After investigating, police found the home had been broken into, and its copper pipes had been removed.
Officers found the suspicious vehicle with three occupants: Robert Penney, 35, and Michael Penney, 31, of 456 Highland Ave., and Franklin Penney, 30, of 246 Brightwood Ave. , all in Torrington.
Police interviewed the three men and said they found the men to be in possession of heroin.
“Officers determined that Michael, Robert and Franklin forced their way into the residence on Starview Drive, removed all the copper pipes in the residence and later sold them at a scrap yard,”
according to the report.
Michael Penney is charged with third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief; possession of burglary tools; and possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. He was released on $2,500 bond.
Robert Penney is charged with third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, firstdegree criminal mischief; possession of burglary tools;
and possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Franklin Penney is charged with third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief; possession of burglary tools; possession of narcotics; and driving with an expired license. He was held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
As a result of this investigation, leads have been developed in other residential burglaries involving the theft of copper piping,