Man gets five years for rash of burglaries, thefts

A Kalispell man convicted of multiple charges in connection with a string of petty burglaries stretching back to November 2007 has been sentenced to five years at the Montana Department of Corrections.

During the hearing Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Timothy Christopher Beck, 20, also was ordered to pay restitution to the victims in all the crimes of which he was accused.

His formal sentence was 15 years with 10 years suspended.

Beck pleaded guilty in June to burglarizing 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 pleaded guilty in December to felony theft and felony criminal mischief for stealing in late July a 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.

For the truck theft, Beck was ordered Thursday to serve two 10-year suspended sentences to the Montana Department of Corrections. Those sentences and his sentence for burglary will run concurrently.

According to the terms of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped eight counts of burglary and several additional counts of felony and misdemeanor theft.

Beck also was charged with, and must pay restitution for:

n On Nov. 11, 2007, breaking into a vehicle on Grandview Drive in Kalispell and stealing a rifle, some shells and a knife.

n On Dec. 19, 2007, breaking into the Community Thrift Store on Fifth Avenue West and stealing $90 in cash. Beck told investigators he was trying to furnish his trailer.

n On Dec. 29, 2007, breaking into four Kalispell coffee kiosks and stealing a CD player and $225.

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

n On March 14 and March 28, 2008, using a large rock to smash through the glass door of the Best Bet Casino on U.S. 93 South. Investigators believe alcohol was stolen.

n On April 27, 2008, stealing a 1998 Ford F-250 pickup truck on Bowdish Road near Whitefish. The truck, minus the stereo and some personal items, later was recovered at Woodland Park.

Several other men have been arrested and charged with partaking in the string of thefts and burglaries.

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