GILLETTE, Wyo. — A man accused of breaking into a local improvement store will appear for a preliminary hearing next week, Campbell County court records say.
Colby C. Thomas, 49, is charged with felonies for burglary and possession of burglary tools, with prosecutors alleging he was seen on surveillance breaking into the Gillette Menards earlier this week.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case, Thomas reportedly set off an alarm when he climbed over a 20-foot lumber yard fence and forced open sliding glass doors shortly before 3:40 a.m. March 10.
A staff member responded to the store first and checked surveillance cameras, which allegedly showed a bearded man who was wearing dark blue coveralls, a camouflage mask and gloves climbing the fence. After accessing the yard, the man struggled for several minutes to open two separate sliding glass doors before entering the store, the affidavit states.
The man held a crowbar as he walked throughout the store, pausing and crouching near a register. Shortly after reaching the registers, something startled the man. He ran out the front door and left in a white passenger vehicle, per the affidavit.
Court documents say Thomas was identified by law enforcement officers who recognized him through prior contacts. Gillette police officers responded to his residence, where they located a white Subaru Crosstrek. Thomas answered the door but closed it when he saw officers standing outside.
He eventually reopened the door and denied being at Menards, stating he had been at home all evening. His wife reportedly led officers to a back room where they saw dark blue coveralls, a camouflage mask and gloves, per the affidavit.
Thomas ultimately admitted to breaking into the store and said he wanted to see if a newly purchased J-hook designed for opening sliding glass doors would work. He claimed he didn’t intend to steal anything but admitted to switching to using a crowbar because it could open more things, the affidavit states.
Per court documents, Thomas was arrested, and he admitted to using methamphetamine while being transported to the Campbell County Detention Center.
He will appear for a preliminary hearing on March 19 where a judge will determine if there is sufficient probable cause to send the case to District Court for further proceedings.
