Arrest Made In Vernon Law Office Break-In

VERNON, CT — Vernon police have made an arrest related to a break-in at a local law office.

At 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 21, the partners at a law office at 45 Hartford Turnpike reported a burglary. A window had been smashed and tools belonging to a contractor performing renovations at the office had been stolen, according to a warrant.

The window repairs were estimated $1,200 and the tools were valued at $8,766, according to. warrant.

The motion detected security systems we're disabled at the building because of the renovations, according to a warrant.

Police then turned to the surveillance systems at the adjacent Motel 6 and the staff there noticed a familiar face and posture — a former resident of the motel who walked with a hunch, according to a warrant. He was identified as 65-year-old Peter Luurtsema, who police said is homeless but lives in Vernon.

He was seen on the motel cameras with tools, according to a warrant.

Luurtsema was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and second-degree criminal mischief, according to an arrest report. He failed to post a $20,000 bond at an April 5 court appearance and is currently in custody, judicial system records show. He is due back in court on May 18.