Shia Transforms Rap Sheet

Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 10:36 AM PST by Gina Serpe

Shia LaBeouf just got a Chi-town reprieve.

A misdemeanor trespassing charge against the Transformers star, brought after the actor refused to leave a Chicago Walgreens last month, has been dropped after the drugstore chain declined to proceed with the case.

The 21-year-old star appeared in a Windy City courtroom at 9 a.m. Wednesday to answer the criminal charge, though fortunately for him never got the opportunity to cop a plea.

At the start of the proceedings, which lasted just a few minutes, prosecutors told the judge they had received a letter from Walgreens HQ, announcing that neither the store nor the security guard who first filed the complaint wished to pursue charges against the young thespian.

LaBeouf, who donned gray slacks, a black jacket and a light collared shirt for his brief court appearance, was flanked by two of the city's more prominent defense attorneys, Terry Gillespie and Edward Gensen. His choice of attorney may have perhaps indicated which way the actor would have pleaded should the amnesty announcement not have come—not that the judge was by any means impressed.

"It's a hollow victory for two lawyers of your caliber," Judge William O'Malley told the attorneys of the case's outcome.

LaBeouf left the courtroom without comment, though he smiled when the drugstore's letter was read aloud.

"All I can tell you is we're grateful, and he's on his way back to work—and so am I," Gillespie said outside the courtroom.

The Disturbia star was busted on the charge at roughly 2:25 a.m. Nov. 4 after ignoring repeated requests to leave a downtown Walgreens. The security guard on duty subsequently phoned police and told them LaBeouf, whom he did not recognize, appeared to be intoxicated.

Police did not issue any sobriety tests on the thesp but did take him into custody and cite him for misdemeanor trespassing. He was released on bail after just a few hours.

Next up, the actor will be seen in a key role in the would-be summer blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Filming recently wrapped on the production and the movie is set for release May 22.