GPS Signals Lead Police to Sleeping Homeless Man with Stolen Property
SAN LEANDRO — A homeless man with many prior arrests and convictions messed up again. This time he was tracked by GPS signals coming from a stolen iPad. The device led police to a vacant residence where he was sleeping with the stolen property in his possession.
No stranger to law enforcement, Andre L. Penney, 43, has numerous arrests and convictions on his criminal record. In fact, he was on parole when he was most recently arrested last month.
Penney told authorities he does “side jobs” for his occupation. Indeed. His record indicates he has occupied his time by committing burglaries, drug-dealing, thefts and other offenses.
The suspect is presently being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail stemming from a vehicle burglary reported on November 22. An Apple iPad was stolen that day from a vehicle parked on Sunnyside Drive.
The victim tracked his stolen iPad to what turned out to be a vacant residence on Beverly Avenue. In a backyard shed, police located Penney asleep on a work bench.
Officers recovered the stolen device inside Penney’s backpack, along with illicit drugs. A quick background check revealed his extensive criminal history and his active parolee status.
Penney was subsequently arrested for his 21st time since 2013. His latest charges are:
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession of for-sale cocaine base
• Petty theft
