C. F. man pleads not guilty to theft

A Columbia Falls man pleaded not guilty last week in Flathead District Court to felony charges of theft and criminal mischief.

Tim Bauer, 45, is alleged to have removed copper wiring, battery cables and batteries from logging equipment and trucks at F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. on Halfmoon Road in late August 2012.

According to a court document, the damage was discovered when a Stoltze employee tried to start a log loader and discovered its batteries had been removed.

The total estimated value of the items taken is more than $3,100, with an additional $3,000 in costs to repair the damaged equipment.

Some of the equipment was recovered in a nearby ditch. Also found with the abandoned items was a set of pruning shears.

The court document states that further investigation discovered that someone had sold multiple batteries and other materials to Pacific Recycling.

The items were confirmed to be from Stoltze and a Pacific employee provided a copy of Bauer’s driver’s license made during the transaction.

Bauer’s sale to Pacific Recycling allegedly included seven pounds of copper, 50 pounds of radiators, 306 pounds of batteries and 146 pounds of aluminum. The court document did not indicate what part is alleged to have come from Stoltze.

If convicted of both charges, Bauer faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and any restitution. His next hearing is set for July 17.

Bauer’s bond was initially set at $25,000, but he was released on his own recognizance at his initial appearance.