A Kalispell man accused of breaking into a downtown building with a group of friends last year saw his felony case dismissed in February after striking a plea deal.  

Prosecutors brought Daniel Alexander Ronshaugen, 19, up on a felony count of burglary following the Aug. 23, 2024 break-in at a 200 block First Avenue East Building. Ronshaugen pleaded not guilty at his Sept. 26 arraignment before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court.  

But Ronshaugen changed his tune after picking up a felony criminal endangerment case in early January 2025. As part of a plea deal encompassing both cases, he agreed to pay restitution in the burglary case. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to seek the dismissal of the burglary charge.  

Coffman ordered the burglary case dismissed Feb. 2.  

The building's owner caught the group of intruders after hearing noises in the warehouse section of the building, which is also home to a popular restaurant, the office of a construction firm and a private residence, about 3:45 a.m., court documents said. Investigating, he discovered a gaggle of teenagers, at least one smoking marijuana, according to court documents.  

After canvassing the building and speaking with several people who worked inside, Kalispell Police officers homed in on Ronshaugen as a suspect, court documents said. Ronshaugen allegedly admitted to the break-in and told investigators that he and a group of friends were walking by the building when he tried a random passcode on the security system. When it worked, the group went inside and explored, he allegedly said.  

But other members of the group gave police differing accounts, one telling them that Ronshaugen had planned the excursion, telling them he had permission to be inside the building, according to court documents. Another member of the group allegedly said he had been inside the building three times that month with Ronshaugen, who he said had the passcode to the building.  

Confronted, Ronshaugen allegedly admitted to telling the group of friends they had permission to enter the structure. 

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