Lambertsen, Gordon strike deals

Two men accused of a string of Christmastime break-ins last year have changed their pleas after striking deals with prosecutors.

Dominic Gordon and Shaun Paul Lambertsen fled Lincoln County after investigators began to circle in on the pair. The two were accused of stealing a slew items, including firearms, while breaking into homes and vehicles on Dec. 25.

Gordon, 18, pleaded guilty to felony theft exceeding $5,000 on April 26. Lambertsen entered a guilty plea for felony burglary the same day.

In exchange, prosecutors will recommend Gordon receive a deferred, five-year sentence. Lambertsen agreed to a 10-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections with five years suspended. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for June 7.

Prosecutors will drop the other charges pending against the men. Gordon was initially charged with three misdemeanor counts of theft, three misdemeanor counts of trespass to a vehicle, felony theft and felony burglary. Lambertsen faced three misdemeanor counts each of burglary and theft as well as felony theft and felony burglary.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigating the string of break-ins, which occurred near Bootleg Road, began zeroing in on Gordon after a victim’s girlfriend remembered a brazen neighborhood teenager repeatedly asking her to “party.” That led them to a nearby home where Lambertsen — identified as Gordon’s friend — rented a room, according to court documents.

After receiving permission from the landlord to search the garage, Deputy Robert Salyer located many of the suspected stolen items. Salyer used the find to secure a search warrant of Lambertsen’s room, which allegedly contained more stolen goods.

By that time, Salyer had learned the two men had fled to Flathead County. It remains unclear in court documents how the pair was caught. Gordon was arraigned in February with Lambertsen going before the court in early March.