MISSOULA - The story behind who was in Markus Kaarma's garage prior to the night he shot a 17-year-old German exchange student to death continues to develop.
An 18-year-old man appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Thursday, accused of burglarizing Kaarma and his wife's garage on several occasions before Diren Dede was killed.
Tristan Alfred Staber made his initial appearance, and faces several felony charges.
Staber appeared before Judge Amy Blixt to hear the charges that include conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit criminal trespass to vehicles.
A 16-year old boy who is also suspected of being involved is facing burglary charges in youth court.
Court documents say Staber was the lookout, staying in the car while the juvenile burglarized Markus Kaarma's garage on or about April 17.
Records state Staber indicated that he and the boy were "car hopping", and went to three different houses in the Prospect neighborhood that had their garage doors open.
The affidavit says that around midnight the juvenile stole several items from the garage of Kaarma and his partner Janelle Pflager, including a glass bong, marijuana, credit cards and an iPhone 5
Staber was ordered held on $10,000m bail and is being held in the Missoula County Detention Center.
This isn't the first time Tristan Staber has been in trouble with the law. The 18-year-old has multiple misdemeanor charges filed against him in Missoula Municipal Court - ranging from theft to assault to criminal possesion of Paraphernalia and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
Thanks! Good to hear the police actually followed through on the investigation of these hardened criminals. They did grown-up crimes, let’s hope they do grown-up time.