Ronan Man Charged with Bigfork Arson

A Ronan man accused of burglaries in three western Montana counties now faces arson charges in Flathead County.

Twenty-year-old Cote Remi Wheeler is charged with felony arson and burglary in connection with a December break-in and fire at the Echo Lake Store near Bigfork.

An insurance company has estimated the fire did more than $450,000 in damage to the 3,100-square-foot convenience store.

Wheeler is also charged in Flathead County with two additional counts of burglary in connection with break-ins at other businesses. He is also accused of burglaries in Missoula County and has pleaded not guilty to burglary charges in Lake County.

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