Theft, assault suspect pleads innocent

A truck-theft suspect who was chased down and detained by the vehicle’s owner pleaded not guilty to two charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Dennis Cartwright, 47 faced one count of felony assault with a weapon and a second count of attempted theft, also a felony.

Following an apparent vehicle theft attempt on Dec. 21, Cartwright allegedly stabbed the truck’s owner, Stephen Bodick, 26, of Kalispell twice in the arm after Bodick pursued him through city streets.

Bodick had started up his Ford F-250 diesel pickup and let it run for a few minutes in the parking lot to warm up before driving home. He went back inside the office, only to return around 5 p.m. to see his truck exiting the parking lot without him.

He chased the truck, jumped into the bed and called Kalispell Police on his cell phone.

The would-be thief drove the truck for a few blocks before pulling over and taking off running.

Bodick noticed his wallet was missing from the truck’s cab, so he grabbed a stashed handgun and went after the thief.

Cartwright allegedly confronted Bodick, brandishing a knife when Bodick yelled to him that police were on their way.

Cartwright stabbed Bodick twice in the arm, then ran off again with Bodick in hot pursuit. Bodick caught up to the suspect and held him until police arrived.

Cartwright has been remanded to the Flathead County Sheriff’s office pending posting of bond.

The maximum penalty for felony assault with a weapon is 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $50,000. Attempted theft, also a felony, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.

An omnibus hearing is set for April 14 and the trial for Cartwright is set for June 7.