Wisconsin Man Accused of Stealing, Selling Dick Trickle's "Purple Knight"

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) --- A 50-year-old Marshfield man has pleaded not guilty to selling a stock car that was driven by Dick Trickle.

A judge also ruled Tuesday there is enough evidence for Patrick Langreck to head to trial. According to court documents, the stock car belonged to Langreck's brother. Investigators said despite producing a receipt stating he was the owner to the new buyer, Langreck was not the rightful owner and had no right to sell it.

The car was known as the “Purple Knight” – a 1970 Ford Mustang drive by Trickle 1974.

According to a news release from the Wood County Sheriff's Department, the race car was reported stolen. However, investigators found out the car was sold in 2013 by a person that had access to the vehicle, but did not have permission to sell it.

The vehicle was located in May 2016 in Grand Rapids. Trickle was born in Wisconsin Rapids and raced in many circuits including NASCAR. He died of a self inflicted gunshot wound in North Carolina in 2013.

Langreck told investigators he sold the car because his brother just left it sitting in a field.