Transient man charged in string of Kalispell thefts

A transient has been charged with felony theft after he was allegedly caught in Kalispell Center Mall parking lot with a haul of stolen loot.

Cory Teel Mills, 33, is being held in Flathead County Detention Center on $25,000 bail in the case. He was arrested Oct. 27 at the mall after someone reported that the vehicle he was in might contain some stolen items. Mills was located and denied taking any of the items, but allegedly said that he did know the items were stolen. The items in the truck had been taken from various Kalispell locations between Oct. 24 and Oct. 27.

The items include a $5,000 Sako rifle, an NRA battle ax, a Yeti cooler, a welding jacket, binoculars, miscellaneous electronics, tablets, a North Face jacket, and mail belonging to numerous individuals.

During the course of the investigation, a cell phone belonging to Mills was also allegedly found in the vehicle from which the rifle was stolen.

It is estimated that the total value of stolen property found with Mills was in excess of $10,000.

Prosecutors also charged Mills last week with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. That charge resulted after Mills was investigated for suspected shoplifting at Shopko in Evergreen on Aug. 15.

Mills would not consent to a search of his belongings and a warrant had to be obtained. Mills allegedly told investigators they would find “incriminating stuff” like “drugs” in his backpack.

A bottle of methadone was allegedly found in the backpack. The Montana State Crime Lab analyzed and identified the suspected drug.

Mills will be arraigned on the drug charge on Nov. 7. The theft case is slated for arraignment on Nov. 17.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.