"Your honor, he would not like to take a drug test today," defense lawyer Erin O'Connor said. "Even if he's in the Roca program?" the judge asked.
SPRINGFIELD -- The irony was priceless.
A Springfield man was captured by police Wednesday after allegedly being captured on video stealing a security camera from Walmart.
Ruben Santiago, 24, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Springfield District Court to larceny over $250 following his arrest Wednesday afternoon.
Santiago and another man were spotted just before noon entering Walmart on Boston Road and walking to the electronics department. There, Santiago picked up a $379 Night Owl Video Security DVR/Camera system while the accomplice grabbed a Nest Net Cam valued at $199, according to the arrest report.
The suspects then headed for the grocery department and ducked out an emergency exit, the report said.
Police chased the pair down Contessa Street, eventually arresting Santiago after finding him hiding under a porch. The other suspect got away, the report said.
Assistant District Attorney Jill O'Connor requested $5,000 bail on the new charge, and asked for Santiago's bail to be revoked in an open cocaine distribution case.
Defense lawyer Erin O'Connor opposed revoking her client's release in the drug case. She asked Judge William Boyle to set bail at $500 in the new case and require Santiago to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.
Santiago has overcome struggles with substance abuse and is enrolled in Roca, a highly regarded anti-recidivism program operating in Springfield, Erin O'Connor said.
Boyle asked Santiago if he wanted to take a drug test and said he would receive "every consideration" if he passed. Santiago huddled with his lawyer for nearly a minute.
"Your honor, he would not like to take a drug test today," Erin O'Connor said.
"Even if he's in the Roca program?" the judge asked.
Boyle set bail at $5,000 and revoked the defendant's release in the drug case. Santiago is due back in court on Jan. 30.