A Palos Hills man accused of stealing a canister filled with donations for a woman fighting cancer pleaded not guilty.

Crestwood police said Joseph Campione, 45, of Palos Hills, went running out of a convenience store in the 13600 block of Cicero Avenue on Dec. 5 with a jar of money that was intended to help a 27-year-old Alsip woman pay her medical bills.

Campione turned himself in on Dec. 22 after surveillance footage was released to news sources and was charged with felony theft. He was held overnight and released upon posting $10,000.

Campione was convicted of retail theft and possession of a controlled substance in 1994 and received one year of probation. Court records show that since that time he has been picked up on other charges related to theft and obstructing justice, though they were later dropped.

Defense attorney Michael Gillespie said Campione has been working as a handyman while receiving mental health and substance abuse treatment, though Gillespie declined to expound any further.

Prosecutors have begun exchanging evidence, including initial police reports.

Pretrial hearings continue on March 7.