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Man in black denies burglary charges

Jesse Davis | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 9 months AGO
by Jesse Davis
| February 17, 2014 8:30 PM

A Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to felony counts of burglary and attempted burglary after being found in all black, crouching near a damaged door at Anything Pawn.

Harold Buck, 54, entered his pleas Feb. 6 in Flathead District Court.

A court document alleges a Kalispell police officer on routine patrol Jan. 19 passed the business and saw a black-clad man crouching near a door previously damaged during a Dec. 31, 2013, burglary. When the officer approached and announced himself, the man picked up a black bag and began walking away.

The officer apprehended the man after a foot pursuit, and allegedly identified him as Buck.

Another responding officer found the plywood over the broken window had been removed, according to the document, and also found a metal crowbar with paint chips matching the window frame lying next to the bag Buck grabbed.

A subsequent search warrant executed at Buck’s apartment allegedly turned up a laptop, guitar and guitar case matching the descriptions of property stolen from the shop during the December burglary, as well as tackle boxes reported stolen from Second Avenue East.

Buck also allegedly matched the appearance of the man caught on surveillance video during the December burglary.

The court document states that Buck is currently on probation for felony drunk driving, and, at the time of his arrest, provided a breath sample that tested positive for alcohol. It adds that Buck’s probation officer also found alcohol in Buck’s apartment.

If convicted of both charges, Buck faces up to 40 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $100,000 as well as any restitution and the revocation of his probation.

He is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $50,000.

A hearing on a petition to revoke his probation is set for Feb. 20, and his next hearing in the new case is set for March 5.

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