Sweets thief caught in the act

A Kalispell man has been accused of stealing candy and soda pop from an area business.

Joshua Eugene Pritchett, 39, is facing one felony count of burglary after law enforcement officials said he entered a masonry business on U.S. 2 Sept. 21 and allegedly stole a large amount of candy and other items, according to court records.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy received a report from the owner of the business, who was watching a man, later identified as Pritchett, on a live video feed inside the building.

When the deputy arrived, he encountered Pritchett coming out of the building. According to the complaint, Pritchett said he worked at the business and then claimed he was just returning some gas cans. When the deputy searched Pritchett, he allegedly found a large amount of candy and a new ball cap with the masonry business name on it.

When Pritchett was arrested, the deputy said he asked why he was being arrested. The deputy said he was being arrested for burglary.

Pritchett allegedly inquired: “It’s a burglary when all I took was pop and some candy?”

Deputies at the scene reported seeing cans of pop, vitamin water and muffins. The owner of the business later identified the items as coming from the business.

In addition, the complaint indicated that a deputy found a zip-tie that had been cut to resemble a key in Pritchett’s possession when he was booked into the Flathead County Jail.

Pritchett, who is free on $50,000 bail, has a court hearing Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.