PITTSFIELD, Mass. - A Lanesborough man had 28-year-old larceny charges dismissed on Friday because most of the key witnesses are dead.

Thomas Trottier, 51, of Pittsfield was arraigned Monday on two counts of larceny by false pretense and single counts of breaking and entering in the daytime, larceny and possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card for an incident in Lanesborough in 1984. The case has been in default for 28 years.

On Friday, the state dismissed the charges because "several of the key witnesses have passed away," according to the District Attorney's office.

Trottier and another man allegedly broke in and stole weapons, jewelry and an appliance from the Lanesborough but fled prior to their 1984 arraignment. The warrant for his arrest went unserved until Trottier was arrested in Pittsfield last week.

On Monday he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held at the Berkshire County House of Correction on $25,000 bail. On Friday, the state dismissed the case.