A man charged in a series of auto thefts and car burglaries in western Lawrence will have a preliminary hearing next month in Douglas County District Court.

Judge Jack Murphy set a 9:30 a.m. May 21 hearing for James R. Evans Jr., 29, Topeka. The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence for Evans to stand trial.

Evans was arrested last week after Lawrence police found him in a stolen truck. He has pleaded not guilty to eight charges.