A Polson man, Bryce L. Morrison, 26, pleaded not guilty to a burglary charge on April 10 in Polson District Court. This was just a few weeks after he had received a suspended sentence on a burglary charge. On March 24, four days after the earlier sentence was issued, the Polson Police Department responded to a report of two businesses being burgled – Stageline Pizza and Betty’s Diner. Surveillance footage showed Morrison inside the store without permission, taking money from the cash register and tip jar as well as two beers. Morrison was quickly located and detained following the incident where he confessed to breaking into the stores.
Morrison had previously been sentenced to five years in prison for burglary, but all time was suspended due to a plea agreement that dismissed multiple other charges including criminal possession of dangerous drugs, theft, and another burglary charge from break-ins that occurred in July and August 2023. Judge Molly Owen has set Morrison’s case for trial on September 16, and in addition to the new burglary charge, he is facing a revocation hearing for violating probation from the earlier burglary. Currently Morrison is being held in Lake County Jail with bond totaling $50,000.