Man denies  crime spree         in Whitefish

The Daily Inter Lake

Although he told Whitefish police about his involvement in several property crimes, a Libby man has pleaded not guilty in Flathead District Court.

Andrew Dlask, 21, entered not guilty pleas during his June 13 arraignment to three felony counts of burglary as well as felony theft and felony criminal mischief.

According to a court document, Dlask is alleged to have stolen a 2000 Nissan Frontier pickup truck, two desktop computers, a laptop computer, an iPad, two gallon jugs of dimes, an electric scooter and four bicycles. He also is accused of causing $2,600 in damage to a Mercedes Benz.

The alleged crimes were committed between May 19 and 22.

Dlask was caught by police on May 23 after being pursued in the stolen truck, from which he ran on foot through a thick forest, a creek, and a swamp.

If convicted of all his charges, Dlask faces up to 80 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 as well as any restitution. He is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, where his bond is set at $100,000.

Dlask’s next hearing is set for Sept. 18.