Broome Man Sentenced in Burglary of Rensselaerville Home - Trail Camera Aids Police in Arrest

RENSSELAERVILLE -  A 44-year-old Broome man has been sentenced to eight years in state prison for breaking into a dead man’s residence in Rensselaerville and stealing over $12,000 worth of items in November 2023.

On Wednesday, Patrick Corbett was sentenced in Albany County Court. He was also given five years of post-release supervision after being found guilty of burglary in the second-degree, officials said. 

Corbett was arrested following an investigation by the Albany County Sheriff's office, which connected him to an early morning break-in on County Route 85 in Rensselaerville on November 29, 2023, according to officials. It is believed that Corbett was aware that the homeowner had recently died when he entered the home overnight. The burglary was captured on a trail camera outside the home. When relatives of the deceased man visited the home, they noticed signs of a break-in and items missing. Among the missing items were five long guns, one hand gun, an ATV, and several smaller items, officials said.

The trail camera captured images that identified Corbett through matching clothing and tattoos, officials said. Some of the missing items were found at his home, though the firearms are still missing.