Ronan man accused of "one-man crime wave"

A Ronan man is accused of stealing an ATV that was parked in front of a Polson residence, and fleeing to Ronan. Kesean Eugene Burke, 24, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson April 24 to felony theft.

According to charging documents, on March 24, a Polson man reported his 2013 Polaris Sportsman missing. The man reported that he had the keys to it, and believed someone may have hauled it away, as it was parked in front of his residence the night before. By 8:30 the following morning, the ATV was gone.

The man said he posted about it on social media which led to it being spotted about an hour later on Clarice Paul Road in the Ronan area. A deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded and found Burke sitting on the ATV.

The ATV had license plates from another vehicle on it and Burke was holding a screwdriver, which he apparently used to start the ATV. Burke claimed he borrowed the ATV from a person named Alex, but couldn’t provide a last name.

Judge John A. Mercer denied an own-recognizance release after the state objected. Prosecutor Ben Anciaux, with the Lake County Attorney’s Office, told the court that Burke is a “one-man crime wave” and may face more charges due to stolen property, including a motorcycle, trailer and another ATV, found where he was staying.

Judge Mercer agreed to lower bond to $10,000 and set the case for trial on Sept. 8.