NORTHAMPTON — A South Hadley man accused of stealing a laptop and two lunch bags out of cars parked at Easthampton High School last summer denied the charges in Hampshire Superior Court Tuesday.
Christopher Kranz, 33, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of larceny over $250, common and notorious thief, four counts of receiving stolen property, three counts of larceny under $250 and four counts breaking and entering a vehicle in the daytime.
Kranz allegedly broke into four cars in Easthampton on Aug. 31, 2017 — two at the high school, one outside of Snap Fitness on Union Street and a fourth on Route 5 near the “boat ramp,” according to court documents.
Surveillance cameras in the area of Snap Fitness caught a white Chevrolet Trailblazer parking next to the alleged victim’s vehicle and then a man getting out of the SUV and taking what appeared to be a red duffel bag from inside the vehicle, according to court documents.
When Easthampton Police placed a be on the lookout call to surrounding departments, Hadley Police said officers were investigating similar incidents in their town, according to court documents. The vehicle used in both the Easthampton and Hadley incidents appeared to be the same, police said.
Massachusetts State Police pulled over the vehicle on Interstate 91, where Kranz was arrested.
In court Tuesday, Kranz was released on $2,000 bail that had previously been posted in Northampton District Court. Conditions of his release include that he attend substance abuse treatment, remain drug and alcohol free and submit to GPS monitoring with an exclusion zone of Easthampton. Kranz is being represented by Northampton attorney Marissa Elkins.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 5.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.