Former employee accused of ransacking North Kalispell restaurant

A man caught breaking into and ransacking a North Kalispell restaurant late last month was a former employee, prosecutors say.  

Cody James Hamm, 22, faces one count of felony burglary in Flathead County District Court following his May 24 arrest inside the Treeline Road eatery. Held in the county jail on $150,585 bail, Hamm is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on July 16 for his arraignment.  

Kalispell Police officers arrived outside the restaurant about 1:26 a.m. to find the front glass door broken, according to court documents. They could hear someone inside smashing items.  

Entering the building, officers found a man wearing a bandana using a hammer to break objects in the kitchen area. Authorities arrested the man and identified him as Hamm, according to court documents.  

Canvassing the restaurant, officers found broken lights, doors, electronics, dinnerware and cutlery, soda fountains, beer taps, water lines and interior windows, court documents said. They also noted damage to doors, walls, booths, toilets, sinks an electrical meter and food supplies.  

A manager later told investigators that Hamm's employment was terminated for harassment about a year prior, according to court documents. They said Hamm unsuccessfully sought to get his job back in recent weeks.  

Burglary is punishable by up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine.