A Kalispell man has been charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing $22,000 worth of construction equipment from a local businessman. 

Michael Anthony Anderson, 51, was charged in Flathead District Court this week. According to court documents, a woman was stopped July 3 with $2,000 worth of tools that had been reported stolen from a construction trailer on June 13. The total value of tools stolen from the trailer was allegedly $22,000. The woman claimed that her boyfriend, Anderson, had allegedly put the tools in the back of the truck.

Authorities tried to make contact with Anderson several times to no avail, according to court documents. Anderson’s roommate allegedly told deputies that Anderson was actively avoiding the police. A detective investigating the case found that Anderson had allegedly been pawning items stolen from the trailer since June.

A $5,000 arrest warrant was issued in the case on Nov. 15. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.