Serial burglar pleads guilty to theft, vandalism

A Kalispell man facing multiple charges in connection with a string of petty burglaries stretching back to November 2007 has been convicted of theft and vandalism.

During a change-of-plea hearing Tuesday in Flathead County District Court, Timothy Christopher Beck, 20, pleaded guilty to felony theft and felony criminal mischief.

Beck took the stand and briefly testified to stealing in late July a 2008 Toyota Tundra pickup truck in Kalispell and then trashing it while mudbogging in a field off KM Ranch Road.

Two other men were arrested and charged in connection with that incident.

Beck has yet to be sentenced on a burglary conviction for breaking into a Whitefish convenience store in December 2007.

According to testimony during a hearing in June, Beck and two other men used a tire iron to smash through the door of the Midway Mini Mart on U.S. 93 near Whitefish. They made off with $1,800 worth of cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets.

Beck is scheduled to be sentenced in both cases on Jan. 22.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors are expected to recommend Beck receive a five-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections followed by a 10-year suspended sentence to Montana State Prison.

According to the terms of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped eight counts of burglary and several additional counts of felony and misdemeanor theft. However, Beck must pay restitution to the victims in all the crimes with which he was charged.

According to court documents:

• On Nov. 11, 2007, Beck broke into a vehicle on Grandview Drive in Kalispell and stole a rifle, some shells and a knife.

• On Dec. 19, 2007, Beck and another man broke into the Community Thrift Store on Fifth Avenue West and made off with about $90 in cash. Beck told investigators he was trying to furnish his trailer.

• On Dec. 29, 2007, Beck broke into four Kalispell coffee kiosks and stole a CD player and a total of $225.

• On Jan. 18, 2008, Beck cleaned out a Bear Trail trailer owned by a mobile home dealership. Missing were a couch, bed, four tables, chairs, and other items.

• On March 14, 2008, Beck and two other men used a large rock to smash through the glass door of the Best Bet Casino on U.S. 93 South. Investigators believe alcohol was stolen.

• On March 28, 2008, Beck and two other men again used a large rock to break through the door of the Best Bet Casino on U.S. 93 South. Between five and 10 bottles of liquor were stolen.

• On April 27, 2008, Beck stole a 1998 Ford F-250 pickup truck on Bowdish Road near Whitefish. The truck, minus the stereo and some personal items, was later recovered at Woodland Park. That same night, four vehicles on KM Ranch Road near Whitefish were rifled through and two bicycles stolen. The bicycles later were recovered in a nearby ditch.

Beck is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center in lieu of $40,000 bail.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com