Alleged burglar pleads not guilty to breaking into El Parral

Published 12:20 pm Friday, June 1, 2012

A 24-year-old man who allegedly broke into the El Parral Ballroom on Fourth Street NE on May 7 pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court.

Joseph Dama, of Austin, pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon and third-degree burglary, both felonies, and one gross misdemeanor charge of obstructing the legal process.

According to the court complaint, police responded to an alarm at El Parral and saw Dama coming toward the door when they went inside. Dama allegedly retreated back into the building when he saw the officers. Officers waited for backup to surround the building and then used K-9 Bosco to find Dama after about an hour of searching. They also had to spray Dama with a chemical irritant to get him to cooperate, the complaint states.

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Dama allegedly hid two $10 rolls of quarters behind some insulation, along with a knife, lighter and a purple bag.

Dama’s pretrial is set for July 26.