Toledoan denies guilt in theft of pipe from pool

9/9/2008

A man accused of stealing copper piping from Collins Park pool in East Toledo this summer pleaded not guilty yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Michael Stine, Jr., 29, of 1645 Western Ave., was charged with breaking and entering and disrupting public services. If convicted, he faces up to 2 years in prison.

Judge Ruth Ann Franks set an Oct. 6 trial date. Mr. Stine is in the county jail in lieu of a $40,000 bond.

The pump room for the pool was stripped of several thousand dollars of copper plumbing June 6. Mr. Stine was arrested a few days later. Police said they had found his fingerprints at the park, 624 Reineck Drive, and on the stolen material.