Brothers arrested for alleged theft ring

Two Whitefish brothers were arrested Aug. 16 for allegedly running a theft ring related to a recent string of vehicle break-ins.

Whitefish Police recovered an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 worth of reportedly stolen items after apprehending Colton Donsbach, 20, and Dustin Donsbach, 19. Police chief Bill Dial credits “good old-fashioned police work” and tips from community members for the arrests.

Officers working a special detail to combat the rash of break-ins Tuesday observed a vehicle drive to the end of Pine Avenue and stop at a dead end. An officer approached the vehicle when one man exited another vehicle parked in a driveway.

The person fled the scene on foot and disappeared into heavy woods adjacent to the railroad tracks.

The second man, Colton, was reportedly found sitting in his vehicle with burglary tools, a purse and numerous other items allegedly taken from vehicles earlier in the evening in the Willow Brook area, Dial said.

Colton was arrested at the scene and told officers that the second man who fled was his brother Dustin, who later surrendered to Whitefish police at 6 p.m.

A search warrant was served at Colton's Whitefish residence which he had been sharing with his brother. Police recovered evidence from multiple burglaries in Whitefish, Kalispell and the surrounding areas of Flathead County.

A sawed off shotgun, an Ak-47 assault rifle, several other firearms, flat screen televisions, GPS systems, electronic components, tools, digital cameras, computers, smart phones, video games, bikes, and a multitude of other evidence were recovered.

The brothers would allegedly cruise neighborhoods throughout the county and would use a baseball bat or hammer to smash windows of locked cars and then would steal the contents.

Many of the items taken came from unlocked cars. The brothers are also suspects in numerous home and business burglaries, Dial reported. They are being held on numerous misdemeanor charges. Felony charges are pending review by the Flathead County Attorney.

According to police, the theft ring started in December of 2010. An estimated $20,000 to $30,000 of stolen items were recovered. Police strongly encourage citizens to lock their cars and houses and to remove valuables from their cars to avert break-ins and thefts.