Man admits to robbing Olney cabin

A 23-year-old man admitted to robbing a couple’s cabin of more than $17,000 worth of property while under the influence before crashing his vehicle during his attempted escape.

Charged with burglary and driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, both felonies, Terry Peter Wyman pleaded guilty to both counts in Flathead District Court on March 23.

The victims of the burglary said they were on their way to their cabin in Olney when they saw a man driving a pickup leaving the driveway.

When they attempted to speak to the driver, they said the truck sped away hauling a boat trailer and other property belonging to the couple.

On their way to Olney to report the burglary, the couple said they saw the same truck and trailer crashed along U.S. 93 North.

Officers who responded to the scene found the cabin in disarray, and the couple identified their property at the crash site.

Wyman told authorities that he “took whatever he could grab from the cabin” and then crashed his truck when he saw the owner following him.

Judge Amy Eddy sentenced Wyman to five years in Montana State Prison for burglary and a concurrent six-month sentence to Flathead County Detention Center with all but one day suspended.

In addition, Wyman will have to pay restitution to the couple in the amount of $17,515.

Before he was remanded to the sheriff’s custody, Wyman made an emotional statement, apologizing to both the victims and his friends and family for his actions.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.