Two charged in alleged home invasion

The Daily Inter Lake

Two men have been charged with aggravated burglary in connection with a Sunday night disturbance in the Echo Lake area.

Charles William Hopkins, 44, and Mark Eric Rost, 44, also face misdemeanor criminal mischief charges for damaging a door on their way out of a residence in the 800 block of LaBrant Road.

The men were arrested Sunday in the Bigfork area shortly after the 10 p.m. incident, according Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan.

According to court documents, four intoxicated men - including Hopkins and Rost - came into the LaBrant Road residence without permission and assaulted the two residents inside.

Hopkins, who was holding a gun, allegedly punched one of the residents in the face.

The four men, at least some of whom reportedly knew the residents, abruptly left after some yelling, prosecutors allege.

A conviction for aggravated burglary carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Hopkins and Rost have yet to be arraigned.