An Indiana man pled not guilty in Ogle County court yesterday after money was stolen from a business the evening the tornado hit the Rochelle area last April.
67-year old Michael McDonald has been charged with the Class 3 felony offense of theft over $500.
Around $1,000 was taken from the former Grubsteakers Restaurant which was located at the intersection of Illinois 251 and Route 64, north of Rochelle. The business was destroyed by the tornado. No one suffered any serious injuries.
Ogle County Sheriff's Police say that McDonald, who also lives part-time in Rochelle, was a patron at the business when the tornado hit the building. He allegedly stole the money from the cash register.
McDonald was indicted back on November 10th by an Ogle County grand jury.
In court yesterday, he demanded a jury trial and was given a pre-trial conference date of December 14th.
McDonald is out of jail after he posted 10 percent of a $50,000 bond.