Kalispell man pleads innocent to robbery

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell man has pleaded innocent to punching his roommate in the face and then holding a knife to his throat while demanding $400.

At his arraignment Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Robert Nowaski, 20, entered a not-guilty plea to robbery.

According to court records, Nowaski pinned his roommate to the ground, held a knife to his throat and demanded to be taken to the bank to withdraw $400 from the alleged victim's account.

But the roommate was able to convince Nowaski to instead accompany him to a First Avenue West bar, where the alleged victim called authorities.

Nowaski fled back to the residence, where he was arrested later the night of Jan. 12.

In interviews with police, Nowaski admitted "flipping out" and threatening his roommate "with brute force," according to prosecutors.

The alleged victim, a 21-year-old man who had invited Nowaski to stay with him, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, investigators said.

If convicted, Nowaski could face up to 40 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

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