Serial burglar busted again during release from jail

A Kalispell man who has already had five counts added to his burglary case has pleaded not guilty to felony burglary in a new case.

Anthony Shull, 25, allegedly broke into Shaw’s Tire and Auto in Bigfork on Nov. 25 — just five days after being released on informal house arrest pending his sentencing in the earlier case.

According to a court document, deputies went to the business after an alarm was triggered and found a broken window. After finding keys on the ground, they searched nearby and found Shull hiding under a van.

When Shull was ordered to show his hands, he fled, and was later apprehended hiding behind trees. The deputies said Shull had a black mask, gloves, a multi-tool and various forms of identification.

In his prior case, Shull was charged with five counts of felony burglary, one count of felony theft and one count of misdemeanor theft for stealing several gift cards, a laptop, cellphones, cash and miscellaneous food items.

He pleaded guilty Nov. 20 to two counts of felony burglary and one count of felony theft, while the remainder of the charges were dismissed.

Shull was released from jail pending his sentencing, which was scheduled for Jan. 16, 2013.

Shull already was facing up to 50 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Now he faces an additional sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $50,000 if convicted of the new charge.

The next hearing for Shull is set for March 5.