Couple charged with tool thefts

A Whitefish-area couple has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 worth of tools from Flathead Valley construction sites in a theft spree that may reach as far back as 2005.

Kelly Howard Hilbun, 47, and Terri Ann Hilbun, 46, so far have been connected with about 30 theft cases, Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said.

"Our wash bay is full of tools. And I mean full of tools," Meehan said. "Many of them have already been returned to their rightful owners."

Sheriff's detectives and officers with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force recovered hundreds of stolen items - including hand tools, power tools, construction equipment, electronics and copper wire - while serving a search warrant late last week on the Hilbuns' home in the 400 block of Antelope Trail in Happy Valley.

Investigators applied for the search warrant after an alleged victim saw some of his tools for sale online, bought them to confirm they were his, and then contacted the Sheriff's Office.

The Hilbuns later were discovered to have numerous accounts with a popular online auction site.

Kelly Hilbun, who is charged with three counts of felony theft, and Terri Hilbun, who is charged with one count of felony theft, may be responsible for hundreds of tool thefts in the past several years with victims' losses totaling more than $100,000, according to court documents.

Investigators with the Sheriff's Office and all three of Flathead County's city police departments are working to connect the Hilbuns with open cases, Meehan said.

While serving the search warrant, detectives also discovered a methamphetamine lab and a small amount of the finished drug. In addition to the theft allegations, prosecutors have charged the Hilbuns with operating an unlawful clandestine laboratory, a felony.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to interview witnesses and suspects, inventory recovered property and pursue active leads, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Both Kelly Hilbun, who is incarcerated at the Flathead County Detention Center, and Terri Hilbun, who posted bond, have yet to be arraigned.

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