A Mount Airy man arrested Friday on a fugitive warrant from Virginia waived extradition yesterday in Carroll County District Court, saying he has never been there and wants to clear his name.

Steven A. Richardson, 24, of the 1300 block of Ellis Road, told Judge JoAnn M. Ellinghaus-Jones that he lost his wallet about two years ago. He believes someone found it and misused its contents, which included Motor Vehicle Administration photo identification and a Social Security card.

Melissa O. Hockensmith, assistant state's attorney for Carroll County, said the charges were unclear but apparently involved robbery and escape.

"He seems believable, and it may be a case of mistaken identity, but he matches the description on the warrant," Hockensmith said.

The judge ordered that Richardson be held without bail at the county jail until tomorrow, the deadline she set for Virginia authorities to take him to Danville.

Pub Date: 9/29/98