Crime and Courts

Man arrested for string of vehicle break-ins, vehicle theft in Bozeman

Posted: Feb 8, 2013 1:05 PM by Erin Schattauer

BOZEMAN - A man has been arrested for a string of vehicle break-ins and a vehicle theft in Bozeman over the last few weeks.

Christopher Morgan, 23, reportedly admitted to trespassing into 24 vehicles in Bozeman and stealing items. He is also accused of stealing a vehicle.

Morgan was arrested after he was seen driving the stolen Dodge Durango, according to court documents. When police showed him a map pinpointing the locations of the 28 vehicle break-ins and thefts that happened in the city since Jan. 23, Morgan admitted to breaking into 24 of the vehicles and taking items from them, court papers state. Morgan reportedly told police that he still had some of the property he stole, but that he had sold some of the items.

Morgan also admitted to stealing the Dodge Durango at around 4 a.m. Feb. 6 because he "did not feel like walking anymore," court papers state.

Morgan reportedly gave police permission to search the vehicle and a residence, saying that is where he placed the stolen items, court papers state. Stolen property valued at more than $1,500 was found in both the vehicle and the residence, court papers state.

Morgan appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on the charges this morning. Judge Bryan Adams set his bail at $50,000. Morgan is currently being held in the Gallatin County Detention Center.

At the time the incidents took place, Morgan was on probation for committing burglary in 2012.