Valley man sentenced for Somers burglaries

A Flathead Valley man is headed to prison on felony burglary charges stemming from two home invasions in Somers last year.

According to police reports, Stephen Blakeway Elliott broke into a Somers home and stole guitars, an amplifier, firearms and vehicle titles while the homeowner was out of town for a few weeks.

Elliot reportedly stole a 2012 Dodge Challenger from the home as well, later selling the vehicle on Craigslist.

Two guns Elliot allegedly pawned in Kalispell were later identified as the guns taken from the residence.

A home surveillance video tipped law enforcement off to Elliott’s flatbed truck. When officers got a warrant to search Elliott’s truck, they reportedly found items that were taken from another Somers residence, including mail, old coins and a watch. That home had been burglarized in October 2016. The main garage door had been unlocked at that residence, and the alarm control panel was tampered with, reports stated.

Elliot apologized to the victims of his crimes in court in front of Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy on Dec. 14. He was sentenced to a net term of 10 years with five years suspended in Montana State Prison.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.