Updated: Break-in suspect arrested, charged

Just days after the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office released the names and photos of two Bigfork teens wanted in connection with the Aug. 15 high school break-in, 18-year-old Eddie Wayne Dolzadelli turned himself in to law enforcement officials Saturday.

Dolzadelli has been charged with felony criminal mischief and is currently being held at the county jail on a $20,000 bond.

The sheriff’s department issued a warrant for Dolzadelli’s arrest last Friday. The second suspect — 18-year-old Dale Bowen — is still wanted for questioning.

Officials believe both teens — with the help of at least one other yet-to-be-identified suspect — were involved in the school break-in as well as other vandalism incidents that have occurred in Bigfork over the course of the last several weeks.

(Update: According to Curry, Bowen was located and questioned on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Although Bowen provided investigators with some new information, Curry said the interview didn't amount to much.

Following the questioning, Bowen was released. He is no longer wanted by law enforcement officials.

"We're no longer seeking him," Curry said Wednesday. "He could still be involved somehow, but he has not been charged."

Curry said investigators have identified more possible suspects in the case involving the school break-ins and vandalism in Bigfork.

"We're actively working on this (case) as we speak," Curry said.)

“Eddie (Dolzadelli) we feel is certainly responsible for a lot of the damage that has occurred in downtown Bigfork, in addition to other things,” Curry said. “We’re thinking the majority of the vandalisms in Bigfork will be tied to these guys.”

Curry said investigators are currently in the process of interviewing Dolzadelli.

“I don’t think they have gotten any new information out of him yet,” Curry said.

According to Curry, Bowen was in contact with a Flathead County deputy over the weekend. He was supposed to meet with law enforcement officials Monday for questioning, but he never showed up.

“We’re going to try to round him up today,” Curry said Tuesday. “We think he’s still running around Bigfork.”

Video surveillance footage from the break-in, coupled with information gained from several personal interviews, led to the identification of the two teens.

“It was mainly just based on interviews — talking to people we felt might know something,” said Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry. “It was just good, old-fashioned police work.”

According to Curry, the vandalism and break-in have resulted in thousands of dollars of damage for taxpayers and property owners.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 758-5585.

Middle school break-in

Officials are currently investigating a separate break-in incident that occurred at Bigfork Elementary and Middle School sometime this month.

Evidence of the incident was discovered Aug. 20, but Curry said the break-in could have occured any time during the 10 to 12-day period leading up to its discovery.

“Not a lot of damage was done,” Curry said, noting that as far as officials could tell, the only thing stolen was $6 from a cabinet in an unlocked classroom.

It is not yet known whether the incident is related to the high school break-in.

“We’re not sure if they’re connected yet, but they certainly could be,” Curry said.

Investigators are currently in the process of reviewing video footage captured by the school’s security cameras.