Like many drive-in theaters, the Pine Motor Drive-in faced its fair share of criminal activity and legal troubles. 1953 was a notable moment in this area of the drive-in's history. In April 18-year-old Cleo Richard Wigget was arrested on the basis of a "prank," which consisted of throwing pies at attendees. He was held in the county jail after not being able to pay the $50 fine he was charged with for disorderly conduct. In June of the same year, there were two notable cases which involved the theater. A Mary Elizabeth Jones sued the theater for damages after allegedly falling, but the case was dismissed after both parties agreed to drop it. Alongside this case, a loudspeaker was stolen off of the property.
It wasn't until March 31st, 1954, that local youth Donald Lee admitted to the crime and was taken into police custody. Following Lee's crime, in June of the same year, 3 youths were charged with burglary of several drive-ins, one of which being the Pine Motor. The theater lost a $200 cigarette vending machine to these youth, who destroyed it in order to steal the cash and cigarettes inside. Among the other theaters targeted, a record player, microphone, tools, and candy were stolen. The defendants were 15, 18, and 19 years old. The recurring demographic of young adult men committing these crimes is notable, considering they were the target audience of film-for-profit at the time, but also caused theaters like the Pine Motor the most trouble.
