Friday, January 31, 2025
33.0°F

Teen pleads not guilty to series of burglaries

Megan Strickland | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 4 months AGO
by Megan Strickland
| September 15, 2016 4:45 PM

A teen has denied taking part in a burglary spree in the West Reserve Drive area earlier this year.

In Flathead District Court on Thursday, Andrew Simpson Gilbert, 18, pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of burglary.

Gilbert’s co-defendant, Skyler Alexander Smith, 18, had already pleaded not guilty. The pair are set to go to trial Oct. 31.

According to court documents, Gilbert and Smith were spotted riding bicycles at 3:30 a.m. in the West Reserve Drive area on May 26.

 The deputy offered to give the young men a ride and when they arrived at the home, they allegedly consented to a search of the residence.

Authorities found loot from four burglaries from the previous two weeks, including many tools and other shop-type items.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry noted that the amount of stolen property was significant and that it was difficult to determine exactly how many burglaries might have been involved in the case.

Gilbert also is the defendant in a felony theft case in Youth Court. Gilbert is accused of stealing an all-terrain vehicle on March 30, when he was still a minor.

The four-wheeler was found April 8 in Kalispell. Gilbert’s father allegedly said he had seen the teen riding the four-wheeler.

If Gilbert or Smith are convicted, each count of burglary carries a sentence of up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. '

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

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Teen admits role in West Reserve burglary spree
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 8 years, 3 months ago
Two teens arrested in string of burglaries
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 8 years, 7 months ago
Kalispell teen sentenced to probation for burglary spree
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 8 years, 2 months ago

ARTICLES BY MEGAN STRICKLAND

July 13, 2016 12:47 p.m.

Convicted murderer asks for new trial

A Ronan man serving life without parole for killing raping and killing his cousin at Wild Horse Hot Springs in May 2013 has asked the Montana Supreme Court for new trial and for $35,000 in public defender’s fees to be reconsidered.

Commission studying proposed Bison Range agreement
July 20, 2016 11 a.m.

Commission studying proposed Bison Range agreement

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

July 13, 2016 12:50 p.m.

High court denies rapists appeal

The Montana Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a Polson man whose public defender found that he had no basis for appealing a 2014 conviction for sexually assaulting an ex-girlfriend.