A man arrested after allegedly lighting his ex-girlfriend's belongings on fire in the middle of a Kalispell street in early July is also suspected of badly vandalizing a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.  

Cole Alexander Bartel, 35, of Kalispell faces charges of felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor negligent arson in Flathead County District Court following his July 1 arrest on the 1300 block of Fifth Avenue West. He is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman on July 18 for his arraignment.  

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Bartel was behind a string of calls to the Kalispell Police Department late on June 30 and into the early morning hours of July 1, beginning with a man reporting the driver of a blue pickup truck loudly revving the engine about 11:54 p.m. 

At about 12:56 a.m., police officers headed to the 500 block of Third Avenue West for a report of a man banging at the door, hitting it hard enough to rattle the windows, court documents said. An individual living in the home suspected it was Bartel, telling officers that he was her roommate's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents. She also accused Bartel of previously pulling a gun on his ex-girlfriend.  

Though Bartel had left the area while officers were en route, the department got a call about 1:08 a.m. reporting a man starting a large fire in the middle of Fifth Avenue West, court documents said. The man, a 1300 block resident, was allegedly yelling as the fire burned and then walked back inside his home, court documents said.  

Arriving officers doused the blaze, which appeared to be a pile of women's clothing and purses, with fire extinguishers. Looking around, they found garments scattered on the ground and a trashcan piled high with women's clothing across the street. A glass vase was found by the curb with dried flowers nearby.  

Spotting a blue truck associated with Bartel, officers knocked on a nearby door, court documents said. When an allegedly drunk Bartel greeted them, they put him into handcuffs.  

Bartel told the officers he had made a mistake and was sorry, court documents said. He allegedly admitted to burning his ex-girlfriend's belongings in the street.  

With Bartel held for disorderly conduct and reckless driving, officers were summoned back to the 500 block of Fifth Avenue West for a report of a vandalized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, court documents said. The owner phoned the authorities about 4:49 a.m. after finding the windshield and driver's side window of the van damaged and a taillight broken. A bloody fist print was also left on the vehicle. A watch was found on the ground near the bloody print, court documents said.  

In all, the owner estimated the vandal did more than $2,500 in damage to the van.  

Although Bartel initially denied going to that block of Fifth Avenue West, he later said he couldn't remember, court documents said. But he did allegedly report misplacing a watch of the same brand that was found by the van.  

Criminal mischief is punishable by up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Negligent arson, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of six months in county jail and a $500 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].