Teen accused of dual vehicle theft

Prosecutors have charged a Flathead County man with felony theft and burglary after he allegedly stole and crashed two vehicles in one day.

Dylan James Cheman, 18, told Kalispell Police officers he was intoxicated when he decided to steal a 1998 Ford Contour from Motel 6 in the early hours of March 8.

He arrived at the ill-fated decision after earlier in the night spending time with friends at a home on Montana 35, according to court documents.

A man at the home had given Cheman a ride to the motel at about 1 a.m. before returning to his house and going to sleep, according to court documents. When the man woke up, he realized that a PlayStation 3 gaming system was missing, along with his keys and his 1998 Dodge pickup truck.

After the theft was reported, Kalispell Police Department officers went to Motel 6 to look for Cheman. They learned that the Ford Contour had been stolen from the parking lot and crashed near the intersection of Anderson Lane and Conrad Drive.

Cheman was later arrested near the intersection of Third Avenue East and Third Street East.

He allegedly admitted stealing the car to get back to the house on Montana 35. He allegedly walked from the crash scene to the house, which he entered through a window before stealing the PlayStation and truck.

He then apparently drove off the road and got the truck stuck in snow. He had to walk to a gas station to call for a ride, according to court documents.

The truck was later found and returned to its owner.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office has charged him with felony burglary, felony theft and misdemeanor theft.

A burglary conviction carries a possible penalty of 20 years in Montana State Prison while a felony theft conviction allows for up to 10 years in prison. Misdemeanor theft is punishable by up to six months in county jail.

Cheman is being held in the Flathead County Adult Detention Center.