Kid charged in Canyon crime spree breaks free

A 12-year-old Hungry Horse boy charged with stealing numerous vehicles, firearms, pills, electronic games and bikes was recaptured after he escaped from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center on Aug. 29.

James Smith reportedly climbed through the roof of the detention center’s exercise yard at about 7 p.m. and was recaptured about three hours later at a relative’s home in Evergreen. He allegedly stole a girl’s bicycle and used to flee the area.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said he believes Smith is the first youth to escape from the juvenile detention center since the Sheriff’s Office took over the 12-person facility in 1999.

Smith was initially charged in June with 15 crimes related to seven incidents between April 27 and June 6 in Martin City, Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse. He faces two felony counts of burglary, two felony counts of theft, eight misdemeanor counts of theft and three misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. His next hearing is set for Oct. 31.

According to court documents, Smith allegedly stole or was involved in the theft of a 1998 Mazda Protégé; a van; an all-terrain vehicle; a dirt bike; a “pocket rocket” motorcycle; several firearms including shotguns, rifles and pistols; Lortab tablets and Ambien pills; a Nintendo Wii, a Nintendo DSI, a laptop, a Nook and a DVD player; jewelry; a snowboard; a carton of cigarettes; and two bicycles.

Some of the thefts allegedly involved break-ins at two homes, and one home was thoroughly ransacked and damaged. Smith was reportedly scheduled to be on house arrest at the time of the motorcycle theft but was still waiting an ankle bracelet. New charges are now pending for Smith’s escape.

Two other juveniles also face charges in the thefts.

Mathew Hauck, 15, is charged with felony burglary, three counts of felony theft and felony criminal mischief for his alleged participation in the burglary during which the Mazda was stolen. Hauck also faces five misdemeanor counts of theft, two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, misdemeanor accountability to assault, misdemeanor criminal trespass to property and misdemeanor criminal possession of dangerous drugs in other cases. He is not incarcerated and was in Columbia Falls High School on opening day.

According to a court document, Skyla Komeotis, 16, also is connected with the incidents.