NORWICH – A Norwich man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing two vehicles in about a 24-hour-period.

During the second incident, District Attorney Joseph McBride said the defendant wrecked a stolen pick-up and was nearly shot by troopers after he took a handgun from inside the truck and tucked it into his pants.

Robert V. Shenise Jr., 26, Norwich, pleaded guilty to fourth degree grand larceny Monday for stealing a vehicle. He had also pleaded guilty to fourth degree grand larceny and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated in January, for stealing another vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

“This defendant went on quite a tear; he’s lucky to be alive today,” said McBride. Following a rollover accident, police say Shenise placed a handgun he stole in his pants.

“He had a gun in his waistband and the officers for a brief second thought the defendant might have been reaching for it and almost shot him,” McBride told the court.

Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies were searching for Shenise since the evening of Oct. 8 after they said he stole about $15 of pornography from Adult World in Norwich and then stole a vehicle out of the North Plaza parking lot about 20 minutes later.

Lt. Richard Cobb said the vehicle was later recovered, damaged, in the Sidney area.

Police had an open warrant for Shenise’s arrest, but he wasn’t found until the following day, when he was discovered by New York State Troopers at an accident scene, involving another stolen vehicle.

Police said Shenise stole a truck from a NYSEG parking lot while he was intoxicated and found a handgun in the cab, which he took into his possession.