A Ronan man admitted stealing a vehicle while the vehicle’s owner was dropping off children near the Ronan Library.

Leonard Grenier Jr., 40, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Nov. 26 to felony theft. He also admitted to violating terms of probation on an earlier conviction.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement with a joint recommendation calling for five years in the Montana Department of Corrections with all but time served suspended on the theft charge and another five years with the DOC for violating probation, to run consecutively to each other.

According to court records, on July 10 the registered owner of a Mazda 626 reported to law enforcement that she had stepped out of her car to drop off her children near the library in Ronan. When she came out, it was gone.

The Mazda was located later that same day, wrecked in a roll-over crash north of Polson.

Ronan Police Sgt. Brandon Smith found video footage that appears to show Grenier entering the Mazda where the registered owner had dropped off her children. Grenier was arrested when he tried to enter another vehicle later that same day.

Grenier was already on probation on drug possession charges and he was convicted of stealing his father’s car in Ronan on Dec. 4, 2023.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Jan. 14. Grenier is at liberty.