petty larceny

[set up]

What is the name of your state? Missouri
My boyfriend's license plates were reported to police for being involved in a theft of $20 worth of merchandise from a walgreens and he was called in for questioning at which time he was told by police he was seen giving the actual thief a ride away from the scene.He reported to the police that he was unaware of the theft but did give an acquaintance a ride on the day in question from the store. He does not know the mans last name or how to contact him as he was an work aquaintance for a previous employer,he was apporached in the lot by this man for a ride up the road. He has now been served a summons to appear in court and is being charged for the theft.The police said he was identified by a witness as the thief and that he was seen driving himself away from the scene. He never entered the store!He was on the phone in the parking lot with me, although I wasn't there I heard the constant traffic in the background,I heard the man ask for a ride!How can he have been witnessed giving a ride and now they are saying he acted alone.This sounds to me like the police are setting him up to take the fall because they are angry he could not point the finger at the real thief. What in the world should we do? He is unemployed and does not have the $ for a lawyer but is worried a public defender will be to overworked and underpaid to sort through this mess and make sure he cleared of this. Any advice will be much appreiciated.