MISSOULA – A 48-year-old man is once again in police custody after he allegedly committed another burglary in Missoula — and that might not be the last one he is charged with.
Policewere called to Big Sky Bikes over the weekend to investigate a burglary and authorities believe it was committed by someone who had recently been released for the same crime.
The Missoula County Attorneys Office believes they have the man who is responsible for six possible burglaries in downtown Missoula.
Chad Lobeck was arrested and charged for his first burglary that took place at the Florence building on December 28. He’s now being charged with burglarizing another location in Missoula for a new charge in the new year
Police arrived at Big Sky Bikes on Saturday to investigate the report of a burglary that had taken place. MPD reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business that showed a man circling the store in the days preceding the burglary wearing a mask.
At one point the suspect walked past the camera not wearing the mask and police were able to identify him as Lobeck.
A tip led police to Lobecks hotel where they discovered him in his room with what they believe to be the property that was stolen from Big Sky Bikes which included a mountain bike. They also discovered a used syringe.
Lobeck has been charged with burglary from two different instances and Missoula County Deputy Attorney Jordan Kilby expects there to be more charges coming.
“There are several other cases which the investigation has just wrapped up he will be charged with several other burglaries as well as a felony theft,” Kilby said in court on Monday. “Unfortunately judge, I do not have his criminal history in front of me.”
“He also has a pending trespass in Municipal Court. Additionally, the burglaries for which he will be facing charges shortly occurred between the end of November and the end of December.”
So within a month, I think there are something like six charges that he is facing. I think that he is a danger to the community and a $10,000 bail is fair an appropriate,” Kilby concluded.
Other items from the bike shop were found in Lobeck’s room and the owner of the bike shop reported the money from the register was missing.
Lobeck’s bond is set at $10,000 and he is only to be released to pretrial supervision. His next court date is January 22.
Story by Connor McCauley, MTN News
