Lutai

LAKE PLACID — Village Justice Margaret Doran has refused to dismiss felony charges against a Russian figure skater accused of stealing a car and driving drunk, complicating his plan to return home today. Andrei Lutai, 23, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared in village court late Thursday afternoon for a felony hearing. Lutai was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly stole a Chevy Impala from Central Garage on Main Street and drove the vehicle while intoxicated. He spent three days in the Essex County Jail before he was released of his own recognizance Wednesday night. Lutai’s attorney, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, asked Doran to dismiss the two felony charges his client is facing — third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Barrett also provided the judge with an affidavit from Central Garage owner Jerry Strack, who’s asking prosecutors to abandon any charges against Lutai stemming from the alleged theft of the vehicle.