A Polson man is accused of tearing a mail cluster box off its foundation. Brent Michael Lemler, 36, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Feb. 12 to felony criminal mischief.

According to court records, on Feb. 2, Polson Police responded to a report of criminal mischief in progress near First Street West and 13th Avenue West. The reporting party indicated that someone was trying to steal a community mailbox, after “knocking it down and ramming it with a vehicle.”

The officer located the suspect vehicle with two males. Lemler was in the driver’s seat and stated that he was trying to help his friend retrieve mail from the mailbox because his friend believed there was a check in it.

They used several tools to gain entry before securing a metal cable to the partially open mail slot, attaching it to their vehicle, and trying to force the mailbox open. However, the entire cluster box came off its foundation and was dragged several feet down the block by their vehicle, causing substantial damage.

The value of the cluster box, which is owned by the United States Postal Service, is $2,850.

Lemler has a prior history of domestic abuse and drug charges and was on probation at the time.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on Aug. 10. Lemler remains in custody with bond totaling $55,000.