Boy admits series of Evergreen offenses

The first of three teens facing felony charges after a string of burglaries in Evergreen admitted several offenses during Flathead Youth Court proceedings Friday morning.

Bradley Bradford, 15, admitted breaking into Evergreen Gas and Deli on Sept. 9, Smoke Haus Emporium on Sept. 15, Subway on Sept. 30 and the Army-Navy store on Nov. 11.

He also confessed to damaging a door at Flathead Glassworks on Oct. 17, a door at Pacific Hide and Steel on Oct. 18 and a window and cash register at a McDonald’s on Oct. 28.

Bradford said that in the three burglaries, he and his cohorts stole rolling papers, cigarettes, lighters, beer, pipes, bongs, $250 in cash, $30 in quarters, four coats and five Microtech knives.

During the Army-Navy smash-and-grab burglary, thieves took $12,000 to $15,000 in merchandise in a matter of minutes.

Bradford admitted committing four counts of felony burglary and three counts of criminal mischief. An additional four felony burglary charges, one felony criminal mischief charge and four misdemeanor criminal mischief charges were dropped.

Those charges stemmed from the same set of crimes as well as allegations that he broke into a shop called Heads Up.

Bradford also had his probation revoked from a 2011 felony mischief case. His disposition hearing for both the new admissions and the revoked probation is set for Dec. 21.

He did not claim sole responsibility for the recent break-ins, however, implicating Dalton Leigh, 14, and Tanner Rohletter, 16, who also are facing charges. He also implicated a “Gabe” and a “Roger,” who were not further identified.

During his hearing, Bradford was asked why the boys burglarized the businesses.

“We did it once and it was pretty easy, so we were excited,” he said.

Rohletter also had a hearing Friday during which he denied all allegations against him.

According to documentation provided by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office, Rohletter is alleged to have participated in break-ins at Evergreen Gas and Deli, Smoke Haus Emporium, Subway, Flathead Glass Works and Pacific Hide and Steel.

He faces five felony counts of burglary, one felony count of criminal mischief and four misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. His next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Leigh’s admission/denial hearing is scheduled for Dec. 21. The documentation provided by the County Attorney’s Office alleges he participated in the break-ins at Smoke Haus Emporium, Flathead Glass Works, Pacific Hide and Steel, McDonald’s and Army-Navy.

He faces five felony counts of burglary, one felony count of criminal mischief and three misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief.

Bradford claimed the individual identified as “Gabe” participated only in the Evergreen Gas and Deli burglary and that “Roger” participated in both the Smoke Haus Emporium and Army-Navy burglaries.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.