Dad stole TVs to pay for girl's prom

PONTIAC, Ill., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A man caught breaking into a Rent-A-Center store in Pontiac, Ill., to steal big screen TVs said he turned to crime to pay for his daughter's prom.

Manual Gaines was spotted after police officers on patrol heard breaking glass outside the business, The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph reported Friday. Officers chased a stolen van onto Interstate 55 and found more than $10,000 worth of plasma screen televisions inside the abandoned vehicle.

Gaines, 36, was arrested in a field nearby where he was trying to hide.

He pleaded guilty to burglary, reckless driving and drug possession charges, but told the judge in a handwritten letter he perpetrated the heist was so his 17-year-old daughter could have nice high school graduation pictures and attend her senior prom.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 11.