PORT CLINTON — Just weeks before Steven Kraus is to be sworn in to the Ohio House of Representatives, he entered Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas and pleaded not guilty to burglary and two other felonies.

Mr. Kraus, 55, a Republican of Huron elected in November to represent Ottawa and Erie counties, was arraigned Thursday on a third-degree felony count of burglary, and fifth-degree felonies of theft and breaking and entering.

The defendant, a real estate agent and auctioneer, allegedly took antiques and other items from a Danbury Township house this spring.

He wore a suit and tie and did not address the court during the brief proceeding.

Visiting Judge Dale Crawford, citing Mr. Kraus’ lack of a criminal record, agreed to a request by attorney Troy Murphy of North Ridgeville for his client to be released on his own recognizance.

After his indictment by an Ottawa County grand jury last month, Mr. Kraus stated he was innocent of all charges and promised to “vigorously” defend himself. He and his attorney both declined to comment following Thursday’s court appearance.

Timothy Braun, a Fremont attorney serving as special prosecutor in the case, also declined to comment.

The charges stem from an April police complaint filed by Helen Stines, who told police numerous items including an antique, double-barrel shotgun, wooden marbles, and die-cast toy cars were taken from her residence. Some items, such as a cigar box and musical instruments, were soon returned and left outside the house in a cardboard box.

A neighbor told police he took photos as someone entered the house and carried out what he described as “loads” of boxed items, and later saw the same person return at least one of the loads.

Ms. Stines was in the process of selling her house at the time, but told police the items were taken before the residence was sold.

Her real estate agent, Jenine Porter, told police she gave permission for Mr. Kraus to enter a garage at the house and photograph Ms. Stines’ antique automobile, so it could be sold through an online auction. She said she never gave permission for him to enter the house or inventory or take items inside.

Ms. Porter told police she ran into Mr. Kraus, whom she had known for two years including through the Republican party in Erie County, at an ethics seminar for real estate agents in Sandusky. She told police she mentioned to him that her client might possibly need someone to look at a car and that, after the home was sold, some items from the home could “possibly” be sold.

Later, Ms. Porter said her client asked her to contact Mr. Kraus about the car, which she did.

Ms. Porter told police she saw Mr. Kraus once after the theft was reported while at a Republican women’s meeting at the Sandusky Yacht Club.

“During that encounter, Mrs. Porter reported that Mr. Kraus touched one of her arms and informed her that he ‘smoothed things over’ which she felt related to the burglary of Ms. Stines’ home. Furthermore, Mrs. Porter stated that Mr. Kraus also told her at the same time that he ‘returned everything,’ ” the police report stated.

A former attorney for Mr. Kraus previously described the incident as “a misunderstanding about what he was supposed to do.”

Mr. Kraus defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Chris Redfern in November.

He is to be sworn in to office in January, but would be forced to give up his seat if convicted of a felony.

His trial is scheduled to begin April 15.

Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com or 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @vanmccray.

First Published December 12, 2014, 5:00 a.m.