AUGUSTA — A Clinton man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a series of thefts that included stealing small antiques over a three-week period by taking them from a Benton antiques dealer’s warehouse and hiding them in the woods until he could retrieve them.

Peter V. Corson, 49, was sentenced Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to five years in prison with all but 18 months suspended and two years of probation.

David Beane told Judge Robert Mullen that he had received a tip that Corson was stealing antiques from him over a three-week period, and that he caught him in the act after a Kennebec County sheriff’s deputy set up a camera.

Beane said Corson stole dozens of antique pens and bayonets, as well as other itmes. Beane also told the judge that the insurance company reimbursed him about $80,000 for missing items valued at an estimated $117,250. Beane said Corson threatened Beane’s family after Beane tried to retrieve some of his property.

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Joelle Pratt, said the state was unable to prove that Corson had taken more than the amount Beane received from the insurance company, so she could not seek restitution for Beane as part of Corson’s sentence.

Corson was ordered to pay up to $900 restitution for items contained in a safe he stole from a Waterville residence on March 29. Pratt said one of the items was a $400 gift certificate to a local restaurant that Corson later sold for $80, as well as a Mickey Mouse watch and a Buffalo Bill book.

In all, Corson was sentenced for conviction on one count of burglary, three counts of theft and two counts of violating conditions of release.

The offenses occurred between June 2013 and March 2014 in Benton, Fairfield, Smithfield and Waterville, according to court records.

Corson has previous convictions for thefts and burglaries of motor vehicles.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

Copy the Story Link