A 24-year-old man accused of trying to cross into Canada in a stolen street sweeper plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

        Damon Francis of North College Hill is scheduled for a hearing May 13 before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Crush.

        Mr. Francis is accused of stealing the $55,000 street sweeper from his former employer, Lockland-based Contract Sweepers & Equipment, in May 2001.

        Investigators say he drove his white Cadillac into an 8-foot fence surrounding the company's parking lot, obtained keys and two fuel cards and drove away with the sweeper.

        Officials describe the sweeper as a “truck-sized” vehicle that can travel up to 65 mph.

        Why Mr. Francis might have taken the sweeper is not known, his attorney, Ron Harris, said Tuesday.

        Mr. Harris said his client denies taking the fuel cards, but hasn't explained the sweeper theft.

        He said he'll file a motion requesting the not guilty by reason of insanity hearing, based on his client's actions at the time of the offense.

        It's also not known why Mr. Francis tried to enter Canada.

        “He headed north on (Interstate) 75 and just kept driving,” said Gerry Kesselring, president of Contract Sweepers & Equipment.

        Mr. Francis was arrested last May by Marquette County, Mich.,sheriff's deputies as he tried to cross the border. Federal officials in Michigan intended to try Mr. Francis because he crossed state lines. They stopped prosecution, however, after he was declared “delusional” in court following an evaluation.

        Hamilton County sheriff's deputies brought him back in March.

        He faces two counts of breaking and entering, and a count each of vehicle theft, theft and vandalism.

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