https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...om/1901744001/

The courtroom is a hall of justice where crimes are paid for ? not committed.

That is, unless you?re the bold Michigan man who allegedly stole a cellphone while sitting in court on unrelated charges.

The Eastpointe man was awaiting sentencing in Macomb Circuit Court in Mount Clemens in connection with a 2017 traffic violation, according to a news release from Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.

That's when he saw an opportunity too good to pass up: an unattended phone sitting on a bench.

Courtroom video footage shows the man sit down beside his prize, inconspicuously place his hat over it and maneuver the phone into his pocket unnoticed, police said.

?The audacity of this defendant is alarming. He is already in court, awaiting sentencing on multiple unrelated charges,? said Smith said in the release. ?And yet, he is captured on video breaking the law once again.?

The owner of the phone noticed it missing and asked for assistance from the courtroom deputy, who reviewed video footage to find the culprit.

The man is being charged with larceny in a building, a four year felony.

His arraignment was scheduled for Friday afternoon in 41-B District Court in Clinton Township.