A 33-year-old woman is facing a pair of felony burglary charges after a tenant caught her allegedly prowling the hallways of a downtown Kalispell building in mid-September.  

Marlaina Grace Hills is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 1 for her arraignment. Initially held in the county jail, she was ordered to be released on her own recognizance on Sept. 16.  

The tenant came across Hills about 7:13 p.m., Sept. 13 after noticing the door to his Second Street East art studio was open, according to court documents. Remembering that he had closed and locked it earlier, the tenant went inside and noticed items missing, including his phone, wallet, headphones, journal and a check given to him by a client.  

That's when he caught sight of a woman walking down the hallway of the building wearing his sweater, hat and headphones, court documents said. 

A responding Kalispell Police sergeant identified the woman as Hills, according to court documents. She let officers inspect her purse, which allegedly contained the tenant's wallet, check and checkbook.  

Hills told the authorities she owned a boutique in the same building and reported changing her clothes there earlier, court documents said. When they checked it out, they found the door open and clothes on the ground.   

Despite Hills' claims of ownership, another individual's name was listed on the door as the boutique's owner, court documents said. Officers contacted that person, who said she did not know Hills and did not give her permission to be in the boutique while it was closed.  

Investigators later determined the necklace and dress Hills was wearing underneath the stolen sweatshirt belonged to the boutique, as did the purse, court documents said.  

Burglary is punishable by up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.