Puppy burglars plead guilty to several crimes
Scott Shindledecker Western News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
A couple from Northwest Montana has pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a string of burglaries that occurred more than a year ago across the Flathead Valley.
Montana Helen Kelly, 21, and Richard Allen Chandler, 23, each pleaded guilty to two counts of felony burglary in Flathead District Court. Chandler entered his plea Sept. 4 while Kelly made her agreement Sept. 11.
Each had five counts of burglary dismissed in exchange for their pleas. Judge Robert Allison scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Thursday. Oct. 24.
For Kelly, as part of her plea agreement, she is facing a 20-year sentence, with 10 years suspended, in the Montana State Prison.
Her sentence will be served concurrently with a sentence she received in Lincoln County for a similar offense.
For Chandler, as part of his plea agreement, he is facing a 20-year sentence, with 15 years suspended, in the Montana State Prison.
Both must also pay restitution to the victims of their crimes.
His sentence will be served concurrently with a sentence he received in Lincoln County for a similar offense.
Both remain in the Flathead County Jail.
Both were charged with burglaries at residences in Kalispell, Bigfork and Marion.
The items stolen totaled tens of thousands of dollars, including a puppy dog, a dog’s cremation ashes, more than two dozen guns, checks, credit cards, tools, televisions, coin collection, jewelry, an iPod, skis, and a large amount of cash.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the puppy was returned to its owner after someone saw it where Kelly and Chandler resided.
Also, Chandler had dropped his wallet at the scene of one of crimes.
The affidavit also indicated that Chandler and Kelly each said they were extremely high on drugs at the time, including methamphetamine, pills and marijuana.
Kelly pleaded guilty in 2017 to theft, possession of dangerous drugs and criminal endangerment.
She was sentenced to a total of five years, suspended, on each charge and to be placed in an appropiate treatment facility.
She was ordered to repay more than $8,000 in restitution to the victims in the 2017 offenses.
Kelly also faced burglary charges in 2016 in Flathead County.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER WESTERN NEWS
New suspension bridge over Kootenai opens
The new Kootenai River swinging bridge is open and busy with summer tourists streaming across the 220-foot span.
Crews battle fire near Lower Thompson Lake
A wildlife located near where Sanders, Flathead and Lincoln counties meet was human-caused, according to fire officials.
David Thompson Search & Rescue celebrates 50 years
David Thompson Search and Rescue is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the group is hosting an open house Friday at Riverfront Park to commemorate the milestone.