Jailed 6 months in paintbrush theft, man seeks plea hearing and return of 'Mr. Froggy'
Ordinarily, the alleged theft of pencils and two paintbrushes from a Hobby Lobby store in suburban Chicago would be considered a petty theft.
However, accused shoplifter Ignatius Pollara came to Illinois for a vacation in the vicinity of suburban Chicago shopping centers while on probation in Florida for stealing some $2 million worth of toy Lego sets and other merchandise. So the alleged crime here was taken more seriously, and a high bond resulted, the Chicago Tribune (reg. req.) reports.
Still jailed after six months, Pollara argued a motion in a DuPage County courtroom Thursday, contending that he should be released within 14 days if personal property seized from him in violation of his due-process rights is not returned. Among other items, he wants authorities to return a plush “Mr. Froggy” toy.
Pollara’s court-appointed lawyer, assistant public defender Mark Lyon, told DuPage Judge Brian Telander that he did not support the motion because of incriminating information it might potentially contain, the newspaper reports.
Telander told Pollara he disagreed with his analysis. However, the judge asked prosecutors to try to locate Pollara’s property, which is not part of the evidence in the case.
While he had the court’s attention, Pollara also asked for a so-called 402 conference, which could lead to a resolution of the case.
“I think I’ve been here long enough for two paintbrushes and a bag of pencils,” he said.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Man on probation in $2M Lego-focused theft faces new case after vacation near shopping centers”
