2 arrested in connection with vehicle break-ins

Two 18-year-old men are in custody awaiting formal charges in connection with a string of recent vehicle break-ins.

Jacob Buck and Joseph Valenzuela, identified by Kalispell police as transients who live on the streets of Kalispell, were jailed early Sunday after being spotted on the 800 block of Seventh Street West carrying a snowboard and boots.

Brief questioning and further discoveries led to the two men being jailed.

Buck is being held on a pending felony theft charge and misdemeanor possession of burglary tools. Valenzuela is being held on a pending felony theft charge, misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Police said they made contact with the two men in the early morning hours on the lower west side of town, when the suspects were walking in the immediate area of at least two vehicle break-ins.

Brief questioning at the site revealed “some inconsistencies,” according to a police press release, and a wallet with credit cards and identification that did not belong to either was located on one suspect.

Investigation continued at the Kalispell Police Department.

There, police said, the suspects both admitted participating in approximately 20 vehicle break-ins. They admitted that the snowboard and equipment were stolen, police said, as were a significant amount of electronic devices such as an iPod, camera, GPS and other items.

Kalispell police ask anyone who finds these items are missing from their cars or homes to call the station at 758-7780 to identify them.

Information was not immediately available Sunday on whether Buck and Valenzuela have any connection with recent vehicle break-ins in Whitefish, or whether police have other suspects in the case.

The men are expected to have their initial court appearance today, officials said. The Flathead County Attorney’s Office has 72 hours to review the arrests and investigation before making a decision on filing charges.