Burglary suspects plead innocent

Two men suspected of breaking into several homes in the Two Mile Drive and Foy's Lake areas pleaded innocent Thursday in Flathead County District Court to multiple counts of burglary.

Roger Alfredo Vargas, 20, of Kalispell, is charged with six counts of felony burglary and one count of felony theft. Roderick Michael Evans, 19, of Troy, is charged with three counts of felony burglary.

According to court documents, investigators believe Vargas broke into six homes on Shelter Drive, Foy's Lake Road, and Two Mile Drive between November and January. Two of the six homes were hit on Jan. 15 and two more on Jan. 16.

Authorities suspect Evans participated in one of the burglaries on Jan. 15 and both of the burglaries on Jan. 16.

Items reported stolen included cameras, a TV, a rifle with a scope, an iPod, knives, jewelry, a coin collection, prescription medication, a computer and a snowboard. The total value of items missing from the homes exceeded $4,500, according to court papers.

Witnesses say they saw the men, who were staying nearby, walking away from one of the homes allegedly burglarized on Jan. 16. Detectives visited that home and observed what they believed to be some of the stolen property in Vargas' car.

Much of the property reported stolen was recovered either in the car, in the suspects' possession, or in the possession of Vargas' ex-girlfriend.

In interviews with detectives, Vargas reportedly admitted to some of the burglaries, as well as Evans' involvement. Vargas, who was on house arrest pending charges of assault with a weapon when the alleged burglaries took place, is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bail. Evans is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.