Bench warrant issued for accused bicycle thief

District Judge Matthew Cuffe issued a bench warrant April 26 for an accused bicycle thief who has failed to show up for scheduled court appearances.

Brenton Keith Erickson, 37, faces felony theft and attempted escape charges in Lincoln County District Court as well as a count of misdemeanor obstructing an officer.

According to an affidavit, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies began closing in on Erickson after finding the bicycle outside of a Libby grocery store March 31. The bicycle belonged to the son of a local police officer and had vanished March 14 while its owner went horn hunting in the Jennings Haul Road area.

Court documents described the bicycle as a Stumpjumper Pro 27.5, which retails for several thousand dollars.

Deputies Andrew Smith and Steve Short confirmed the bicycle belonged to the police officer’s son after finding an intact serial number on the ride about 7:15 p.m. Meanwhile Libby Police officer Ian Smith searched the store for the individual who came in on the stolen bicycle.

Outside, the deputies looked up from the bicycle to spot a man running south out of the store and toward East Cedar Street. Ian Smith was fast on his heels, according to the affidavits.

Andrew Smith hopped into his cruiser and joined the chase, trying to intercept the fleeing man. The suspect ran onto private property on Minnesota Avenue in response, but the resident there got in his way and tripped him up. Law enforcement personnel cuffed him soon afterward, according to the affidavit.

Authorities identified the man as Erickson, court documents said, and took him to the Lincoln County Detention Center while the deputies seized the stolen bicycle.

Shortly after arriving in the county jail, authorities say Erickson tried to escape custody. Detention officer Grant Martin wrote in an affidavit that Erickson claimed to have severe leg pain upon arrival. He asked for a doctor as they searched him and then for a cup of water.

After finishing the first cup, according to court documents, he asked for a refill. Martin wrote that he kept an eye on Erickson as he poured more water. The other man leapt up — showing no signs of pain, Martin wrote — and tried to escape the detention center, court documents said.

Martin caught up with him at the intox desk and brought him to the floor. He handcuffed Erickson again with the help of two other detention center officers. Deputies also arrived to lend aid, court documents said.

After putting him in a cell — Erickson allegedly continued to report leg pain — Martin realized he had injured his left hip. The pain there worsened throughout his shift, he wrote. He reported both his injury and Erickson’s leg complaints to a sergeant and arranged for detention center personnel to contact the county nurse regarding Erickson’s pain.

Felony theft carries a maximum punishment of 10 years with the Montana State Prison and a $10,000 fine. Attempted escape is punishable by up to 10 years in the state prison. Misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer can result in up to six months in the county jail and a $500 fine.