An 18-year-old man has been charged with five felonies for allegedly stealing from vehicles loaded with valuables last week in west Hailey when the area was under pre-evacuation order because of the raging Beaver Creek Fire.
Casey E. Farley was formally charged Friday in Blaine County Magistrate Court with four counts of burglary and one count of grand theft. He was also charged with a misdemeanor crime of possession of a controlled substance.
Farley remained incarcerated Tuesday in the Blaine County jail on $15,000 bond. Hailey attorney Christopher Simms has been appointed public defender. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 4.
Gunter alleged that Farley was in the area taking advantage of the fact
that vehicles or residences might be vulnerable to theft because of the fire
Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said Farley previously lived in Hailey but now resides in Boise. Gunter alleged that Farley was in the area taking advantage of the fact that vehicles or residences might be vulnerable to theft because of the fire.
Gunter said Farley allegedly stole laptop computers, wallets, silver coins and other valuables from seven vehicles and possibly one residence the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 21. He was arrested the following day and Gunter said all of the stolen items have been recovered. The police chief said the items were valued at about $3,000.
Gunter said Farley was spotted in the west Hailey pre-evacuation zone the evening of Aug. 21 and was stopped by a Hailey officer for questioning. Gunter said the officer noted that Farley was carrying a blue backpack, which was one of the items reported stolen the next morning. The police chief said Farley was then located and still had the stolen items in his possession.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com