Ronan man charged with aggravated burglary
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | September 17, 2026 12:00 AM
A Ronan man is accused of entering another man’s residence and physically assaulting him.
Daniel James O’Roake, 38, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court Sept. 9 to aggravated burglary. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
According to court records, around 10 p.m. Aug 25, O’Roake entered a residence on First Street North in Pablo without permission and began punching a male occupant with his closed fists. Responding law enforcement officers observed wounds on the victim, such as a bloody lip, a cut next to his ear and a cut on his hand.
He and a female occupant of the residence, who witnessed the incident, identified O’Roake as the suspect. The woman indicated that she had recently ended a relationship with O’Roake.
When questioned about the incident, O’Roake claimed it was a “crime of passion.”
Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on March 1. O’Roake remains at liberty.
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