One charged with felony after teens break into downtown Kalispell building

An 18-year-old faces a felony burglary charge after allegedly breaking into a downtown Kalispell building with a group of friends in late August.  

Daniel Alexander Ronshaugen of Kalispell pleaded not guilty before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court on Sept. 26. An omnibus hearing in the case is set for Dec. 27 with a pretrial conference to follow on Jan. 17. 

Authorities began investigating the Aug. 23 break-in at the behest of the owner of the 200 block First Avenue East building, which houses a popular restaurant, the office of a construction company and a private residence. The owner told officers he heard noises in the warehouse room on the building's second floor about 3:45 a.m. and investigated, finding a group of teenagers lounging around and at least one smoking marijuana, according to court documents.  

Officers canvassing the building later in the day learned that the group would have needed a keycode to gain entry. They also noted a broken glass window in an interior door and a busted light bulb along with a trash can containing broken glass. An employee present suspected the burglars cleaned up after breaking the window, court documents said.  

The burglars also allegedly raided the construction firm for snacks, leaving behind wrappers for beef jerky and trail mix as well as a water bottle taken from the company's common area fridge. A second employee reported that over the counter pain relievers left on his desk had disappeared, court documents said.  

Surveillance footage of the break-in reviewed by officers showed six individuals inside the building between 10:07 p.m. and 3:55 a.m. Employees also provided officers with a photo of an older model pickup truck with a camper later traced back to Ronshaugen, court documents said. Employees suspected the group had broken into the building previously.  

Investigators initially identified Ronshaugen as a suspect using social media, according to court documents.  

Officers met with the 18-year-old on Aug. 24. Ronshaugen told them that the night began as one last chance to get together with a group of friends before they went their separate ways, to college or the military, for example. He allegedly said the group was walking by the building when he tried a random passcode on the door lock — and it worked.  

Once inside, the group began to explore, he said, according to court documents. Ronshaugen allegedly admitted they stole from the construction firm's fridge and acknowledged breaking the window in the interior door. They cleaned up the glass to be respectful, he allegedly said. 

But other members of the group, identified via social media or through interviews, indicated the break-in was planned. One told officers that Ronshaugen invited her and another friend to the building, according to court documents. Ronshaugen told them he had a family connection to the building and permission to be inside, she allegedly recalled to police.  

The group wandered the building until the owner found them and told them to leave about 4 a.m., she said.  

Another member allegedly told officers that he had gone inside the building with Ronshaugen on three occasions, all that month, according to court documents. He allegedly said Ronshaugen claimed to have permission to enter it from the owner and had the code to the door. During the previous excursions the duo had ended up watching television in the warehouse room, he said.   

Two other members of the group later tracked down by police also admitted to being inside the building, but said Ronshaugen convinced them he was authorized to be there, according to court documents. Ronshaugen allegedly told one that he knew the property's owner and told the other that a close relative owned a portion of the building.  

Confronted with the recollections of the other members of the group, Ronshaugen allegedly admitted to telling all of them that he had permission to bring them into the building.  

Burglary is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a maximum fine of $50,000. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.