SANDPOINT — A Hayden man accused of stealing diamond engagement rings from a jewelry store in the Bonner Mall pleaded guilty to burglary on Monday.

In exchange for the plea, a charge of grand theft was dismissed against Michael Allen Gregory Pritchard, 1st District Court records show.

Pritchard, 24, was released on his own recognizance after entering his plea. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Pritchard is accused of stealing six diamond engagement rings from the store and fleeing on foot. However, a Ponderay Police Department post to Facebook led to Pritchard’s apprehension at a Hayden motel a day after the heist, according to court documents. Ponderay Police posted a surveillance photo of the suspect.

Pritchard initially denied being in Bonner County on the day of the theft, but later admitted that he committed the theft and directed Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies to a Top Ramen box which held the six rings, a deputy’s report said. Pritchard said he was about to become homeless and that the rings appeared to be a solution to all his problems, the report said.

Pritchard’s motel room also held methamphetamine drug paraphernalia, according to the report.

The value of the rings was $14,205, according to a Ponderay Police affidavit.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.