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PARKERSBURG --A Belpre arrested in October after allegedly walking through the Vienna Walmart with a pistol in his hand has been scheduled to go to trial in May.
Keith Allen Crace, 51, 150 Camelot Road, pleaded not guilty last Friday before Circuit Judge Jason Wharton to charges of wanton endangerment with a firearm and brandishing.
Crace was arrested on a Saturday morning in late October after Vienna Police officers responded to Walmart about a male walking through the store with a pistol in his hand, according to a press release from the Vienna Police at the time.
The criminal complaint states when officers arrived at the 701 Grand Central Ave. store, patrons were "exiting the store in a panic."
Crace was observed inside the store at a distance by Vienna Police, as he was "breaking open a case of alcohol," according to the criminal complaint. At that time, the firearm was not visible.
The complaint states Crace complied when asked to "put his hands in the air" and officers were able to quickly close distance and take him into custody without incident. He was found to be in possession of a loaded .45-caliber pistol with a round in the chamber.
Crace made multiple statements to units about his intentions, including following the reading of his Miranda Rights, that he "wanted to go into Walmart and scare people with a firearm."
According to the Vienna Police, numerous people on scene indicated Crace had the weapon in his hand and was pointing it in front of him while inside the store prior to police arrival.
Trial is scheduled for May 3.
A status hearing will be held before Wharton on 9 a.m. April 26.
Crace is in custody at the North Central Regional Jail.