A Honolulu sports promoter charged with first-degree theft pleaded not guilty today to charges of failing to pay the National Football League for tickets he sold to the 2003 Pro Bowl.

Manuel A. Sanchez waived indictment on the charge and will be tried Sept. 7 before Circuit Judge Richard Pollack. Sanchez was released on his own recognizance.

Sanchez allegedly owes the NFL $457,604 for Pro Bowl tickets sold by his former company, Tickets Plus, as well as a $100,000 event sponsorship fee.

Driver charged with racing

A 25-year-old Kaimuki man was charged today with racing on South King Street.

Nicolas Grandi was charged on misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, racing and driving without a license. He was released after posting $1,100 bail and is scheduled to appear at District Court on Monday.

Grandi was driving one of three cars that police said were racing from Ke'eaumoku Street until they were stopped on Artesian Street at 1:10 a.m. The other two drivers were cited for reckless driving; Grandi was arrested because he was uncooperative and smelled of alcohol, police said.

Grandi's blood alcohol level did not exceed the legal limit, police said.

Phony booking raises suspicion

Police arrested a 28-year-old man last night on suspicion of fraudulently representing himself as the promoter-manager of a local

music band and accepting payments for booking the group for future performances at The Mililani Shack.

Daniel Ross, manager of The Mililani Shack at 95-221 Kipapa Dr., said he paid the man more than $1,000 to book the band BET for nine dates in September and October. Ross became suspicious when he learned from a member of BET that the group was not associated with the man.

Police were notified, and the man was arrested for investigation of second-degree theft last night.

Motorcyclist killed on Maui

A 35-year-old Lahaina man was killed last night in a motorcycle crash on Honoapi'ilani Highway, 0.1 mile south of Lower Honoapi'ilani Road. Maui police identified him as Michael Jo Higdon.

Higdon, who was not wearing a helmet, was headed south when his motorcycle veered off the highway and struck a guardrail. The crash was reported at 8:24 p.m. Higdon was pronounced dead at the scene.