Sentence deferred in Subway break-in

POLSON – Scott Harpine, an employee of the Polson Subway who admitted to burglarizing the store in a nighttime raid last November, had his sentence deferred for three years in Lake County District Court last Thursday. Harpine still will be required to serve a total of 20 days in the Lake County Jail and has been granted credit for six days served already.

Harpine, 21, used a bowling pin to break into the Subway on U.S. Highway 93 during the night of Nov. 9, 2012. The burglary was caught on film, as security cameras showed a man wearing a mask and carrying a bowling pin enter the premises.

In the ensuing investigation, another Subway employee said the burglar shown in the footage “walked like” Harpine and wore similar clothes.

When questioned, Harpine denied involvement and said that he had been at the Southshore Bar after closing Subway that night. According to court documents, a subsequent review of Southshore security footage showed Harpine “wearing clothing similar to the clothing worn by the suspect.”

Authorities soon obtained a search warrant for Harpine’s home, where they discovered clothing matching that worn by the suspect, a metal cash box, two bowling pins and various drugs.

Harpine later admitted to committing the crime and using the money to pay off a debt.

As conditions of his plea agreement, Harpine must pay a $500 fine in addition to other minor court charges.