Man arraigned in N.H. hospital

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) - A man on the Most Wanted list in Massachusetts who was caught in New Hampshire was rushed to the hospital on the morning of his arraignment.

William Penney, 38, was arraigned Monday from his bed at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center on a fugitive from justice charge.

Police weren't saying why Penney was hospitalized, but the judge made a reference to a stress condition during Penney's arraignment. His bail was set at $50,000.

Penney, of Plymouth, Mass., is wanted on a variety of charges in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including two larcenies. He's also accused of stealing several credit cards, identification cards and cash from a hospital roommate.

Police apprehended him at a Pelham home Saturday afternoon. Officers surrounded the home after no one answered the door. Two hours later, Penney called the police station to ask why his house was surrounded.

Police say Penney told them he did not know they were there.

"Given the various charges ... it will be up to those (police) departments to handle the preexisting warrants that they have and we'll be on standby to find out what goes on with that," said Jon Gosselin of the Pelham Police Department.

---

Information from: WMUR-TV, http://www.thewmurchannel.com/index.html

AP-ES-07-31-06 1902EDT