Peter Derow /
Photo, Westport Police Department

Editor’s note: The charges lodged by Westport police in this case were dismissed Dec. 16, 2022, at state Superior Court in Stamford, according to court records.

____________________________

WESTPORT — An 81-year-old New York man has been charged with stealing GPS devices from rowing shells at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

Peter Derow of Pound Ridge, N.Y., was charged with two counts of sixth-degree larceny in connection with the thefts, police said.

Police began investigating the incidents in July after receiving a report from the club about thefts at the Riverside Avenue club in late June.

A club employee reviewing security footage from June 26 told officers that the footage showed a man go to two rowing shells and allegedly steal a GPS device from each boat, police said.

Rowing club officials identified the man in the surveillance footage as Peter Derow, who they said is a former member of the club, according to the report.

Derow was interviewed by an officer about the incidents, and according to the police report, admitted that he stole the devices.

A warrant for Derow’s arrest was issued, and he surrendered last Saturday at Westport police headquarters.

He was released on a promise to appear Sept. 10 at Superior Court in Stamford.