Locke sentenced for burglary
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POLSON — A Bismark North Dakota man was committed at District Court in Polson on Jan. 13 to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all that time suspended on a burglary conviction.
Justin Scott Locke, 30, was already convicted of burglary and theft charges in neighboring counties. He received a five year DOC commitment in both of those cases. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher made her five years consecutive to those terms. She also ordered restitution of $200 and gave Locke credit for 129 days in jail already served.
According to court records, on April 13, 2020, the manager of the Blue Bay Campground called law enforcement to report a break-in at the campground’s entry kiosk. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Yonkin observed hinges on the kiosk’s door were pried apart and a safe inside the kiosk had been broken into. A blood sample taken from the scene was analyzed at the state crime lab and tested positive for Locke. Video surveillance at the kiosk showed a man with a tattoo looking into the kiosk. Locke has a matching tattoo.
Locke took responsibility for his actions calling them “stupid.” He said he was trying to make his way back to North Dakota and needed money.
