From Prison to Court: A Montana Man’s History of Burglary Leaves Police and Judges Baffled

A Polson man, Bryce L. Morrison, 26, pleaded not guilty to a felony burglary charge in Polson District Court on April 10. This came just days after he was given a suspended sentence on a burglary charge less than a month earlier. On March 24, four days after the earlier sentence, Polson Police responded to a report of a burglary at two businesses – Stageline Pizza and Betty’s Diner. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Morrison inside the store without permission, taking money from the cash register and tip jar, along with two beers.

Morrison was quickly located and detained following the incident, where he admitted to the break-in. However, this new charge is not the only one that Morrison is facing. He had previously been committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years, with all time suspended on a burglary conviction on March 20. This sentence was part of a plea agreement that dismissed multiple other charges, including criminal possession of dangerous drugs, theft, and another burglary charge from break-ins that occurred at the same location in July and August 2023.

Judge Molly Owen has set Morrison’s case for trial on September 16. In addition to the new burglary charge, Morrison is also facing a revocation hearing for violating probation from the earlier burglary. Currently, he remains in custody at Lake County Jail with bond totaling $50