Thief Butt-Dialed 911: Cops

Police used GPS to pinpoint the location of the call and found a burglary in progress.

A man wearing his cell phone accidentally dialed 911 early Thursday morning while allegedly stealing scrap metal from a Southington business.

According to police, the 911 dispatcher heard noises in the background and used GPS technology to pinpoint the caller's location.

"Because maybe someone was in some type of medical distress," said Sgt. Lowell DePalma.

Officers arrived at private business and found Michael Gorneau, 46, loading 700 lbs. of scrap metal from a dumpster into a pick-up truck. 

John Norton, owner of the business, said he was called to the scene moments after police arrived.

"The gentleman thought he was going to get away with something and actually he butt-dialed himself and put himself away," Norton said.

Norton's company makes steel basement doors.  There is often leftover scrap and Norton said he sells it to help pay for his employees' benefits.The scrap metal is often targeted by thieves. Norton has since had the scrap hauled away and he plans to come up with a new way of storing it.

Gorneau was charged with criminal trespass and larceny. He was released on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 2.

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