KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 71-year-old Kansas City man appeared in court Thursday in connection with one of the city's largest stolen property rings.

Bobby Veal was charged with second-degree burglary and felony theft. Veal waived his preliminary hearing and entered a not-guilty plea, KMBC's Dan Weinbaum reported.

The charges stem from an incident at the Village Green Apartments in October. Prosecutors said three men posting as maintenance workers tried to steal a furnace. Veal was the alleged getaway driver.

Lonnie Purnell was charged with felony stealing and Terry Cann was charged with burglary and attempted stealing.

Also in October, police found hundreds of allegedly stolen home appliances in three homes owned by Veal. The properties are now listed in a relative's name.

Prosecutors said they expect more charges to be filed in the case.

Veal is free on bond. He is due back in court Jan. 23.