Bigfork burglar ordered to pay restitution serve jail time
A 19-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Aug. 27 to 77 days in the Flathead County Detention Center for burglarizing six Bigfork businesses in February 2014 and injuring a person in a car crash five months later.
Shane Connor Christensen will receive credit for time already served in jail.
Additionally, Christensen will have to pay $3,788.80 to the woman injured in the 120-mph car crash, split the bill with an accomplice for an unspecified amount of restitution in the burglary case, and pay a $1,000 fine.
Christensen was also sentenced to two concurrent six-year deferred sentences with the Montana Department of Corrections.
In May. Christensen pleaded no contest to felony criminal endangerment and deceptive practices as part of a plea agreement.
Six burglary charges were dropped in the agreement. Christensen was accused of stealing from Bigfork United Rentals, The Senior Center, Albiero Chiropractic, Waterstreet Co., Clayton’s Dentist Office and Nelson Electric.
Christensen and his accomplice, Severin Gislason, made $9,000 in fraudulent charges from a credit card stolen from Bigfork United Rentals, according to court documents.
Gislason received a 10-year-deferred sentence and will have to pay half the restitution to the businesses.
The deferred sentences are stricken after five years if Gislason and Christensen avoid further run-ins with law enforcement.
Bigfork United Rentals owner Gary Whalen said he is not optimistic he will ever see restitution. Since Gislason was ordered to pay restitution in November 2014,
Whalen has received $25 of the more than $10,000 in damage the pair caused to his business.
“I’m not holding my breath,” Whalen said. “That whole scenario irritates me to no end.”
Whalen said he wanted the burglars sent to Montana State Prison and he told law enforcement and the judge that in letters. Christensen wrote an apologetic letter to Whalen more than a year after the burglary but Whalen believes that is not enough.
“An 18-year-old boy needs to know he cannot kick in six doors and rob businesses,” Whalen said.
Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.