ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 12, 1997 TAG: 9703120083
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
Wheelchair hoop star charged in burglary spree
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Police investigating a series of downtown office burglaries spotted wheel tracks in the carpeting, then noticed security camera tapes showing a man entering the buildings in a wheelchair.
Authorities have charged Champ Hallett, the ``Michael Jordan'' of the Syracuse Flyers wheelchair basketball team.
``This one's definitely different,'' said Onondaga County Assistant District Attorney Jim Cecile.
The case was sent to a grand jury Monday.
After losing his right leg five years ago when he fell six stories trying to rob a crack house, Hallett, 32, found religion.
The U.S. Paralympics selected him as an alternate to the 1996 Wheelchair Basketball team, said James H. Babel, president of the Flyers.
``He was the Michael Jordan of the Syracuse Flyers, maybe even with a little Magic Johnson thrown in,'' he said. Babel said Hallett hadn't played with the team in months.
Hallett maintains his innocence, his lawyer said.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
U.S. recall rompers for fear of lead paint
WASHINGTON - The government has recalled thousands of children's rompers sold at Kmart stores throughout the nation for fear the paint used on their snaps contains lead.
The recall includes about 30,000 of the Little Miracles rompers for infant boys that have red or orange snaps, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday. The recall is part of an agreement the commission reached with the romper's manufacturer, the Wear Me Apparel Corp. of New York.
The commission said the red and orange paint used for snaps on the all-cotton, short-sleeve outfits violates the government's ban on lead. The agency said it is not aware of any injuries involving the garments.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB