An Indiana man was back in Ogle County court Friday for a pre-trial conference after he allegedly stole money from a business the evening the tornado hit the Rochelle area last April.
67-year old Michael McDonald, who also lives part-time in Rochelle, has been charged with the Class 3 felony offense of theft over $500.
Around $1,000 was taken from the 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.
Construction has started to rebuild the restaurant.
Ogle County Sheriff's Police say that McDonald was a patron at the business when the tornado hit the building. He allegedly stole the money from the cash register.
McDonald, who has pled not guilty to the felony, was indicted on November 10th by an Ogle County grand jury.
He returns to court for a status hearing on February 19th in Oregon. McDonald is out of jail after he posted 10 percent of a $50,000 bond.