A Jan. 28 trial date was confirmed for a Lakeside man acÂcused of stealing a 300-pound metal horse sculpture from a popular feed store in a case investigated by Alpine detecÂtives.
Ricky Dale Freeman, 63, has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge involving the October 2019 theft from the Double S Tack & Feed store, at 14335 Olde Highway 80.
Freeman is free on $20,000 bond and he was not required to appear Tuesday before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Stephen Stone. His attorney told Stone he wanted the Jan. 28 trial date to be confirmed.
Freeman is charged with grand theft from the store’s owner, Rita Gallant, on Oct. 2, 2019. Court records say the horse was valued at over $950, and Gallant reported the theft to the Alpine sheriff’s station.
The metal horse turned up on the property of a Golden Valley, Arizona man.
It was recovered.
Two sheriff’s deputies testified at the Dec. 19, 2019, preÂliminary hearing and Freeman was ordered to stand trial by Judge Patricia Cookson.
Freeman has denied stealing the horse.
