Stupid Criminal Tricks #5 – Don’t break in to a federal courthouse

The Billings (Montana) Gazette gives us today’s Stupid Criminal Trick, reporting the case of a 24 year old man “who says he doesn’t remember breaking into the new federal courthouse while it was under construction.” He claimed to have been out with friends, then became separated from them, before blacking out. Meanwhile, though, he apparently broke three second-floor windows with a metal pipe and discharged a fire extinguisher, then passed out, wearing only jeans, on the first floor, where he was found and arrested.

He was initially charged with criminal trespass and burglary, but pled no contest to an amended charge of felony criminal mischief and offered a check for restitution–$10,738. He was given a 12-month deferred sentence and ordered to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation, and obtain any treatment recommended. The misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing was dismissed.

As one commenter noted, that was a pricey fire extinguisher.

Lesson learned, we hope.

8 thoughts on “Stupid Criminal Tricks #5 – Don’t break in to a federal courthouse

  1. OMG, I LOVE this. I’m going to be watching for these all the time! The really funny thing is that the guy still might not “get it” and could be wondering what the big deal was over breaking a couple of windows!!! 🙂
    Thanks for starting the new year off right!
    Terry

  2. Oh my goodness! Love the lighter side of crime. Well, it’s not light for the victims, but you know it is a welcome reprieve from the darker side.

    I grew up in Philipsburg, MT….miss it so much. I now live in Western Washington…have I mentioned I really miss Montana? 🙂

    We had a police report about a guy arrested while driving under the influence. When he was pulled over the officer smelled marjuana. They found a baggie and pipes. As the officers were putting the man in the car, he asked if he could have his pipe back since he’d just bought it. That was a few years ago.

    If I come across any more oddball ones, I’ll forward them to you…if you don’t mind other states.

    Thanks for the laugh!

    • Touche, Sally! Mr. Right likes to say Montana doesn’t actually have more nut cases than other places — they just stand out more because of our low population. Some days, I’m not sure that’s true!

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