Repeated Burglar Strikes Again: Local Man Pleads Not Guilty to New Felony Charge Amid Probation Violation

On April 10, a Polson man named Bryce L. Morrison, 26, pleaded not guilty to a felony burglary charge in Polson District Court. This came just a few weeks after Morrison was given a suspended sentence on a burglary charge.

On March 24, just four days following 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 by police after the incident, where he admitted to the break-in. However, this was not his first run-in with the law. In fact, Morrison had previously been committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years 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 is being held in the Lake County Jail with bond totaling $50,000.