Man accused in crime spree sentenced to 4 years - Bismarck Tribune

A man charged with a string of car thefts, stolen credit cards and flights from police has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Tony Tanner, 32, pleaded guilty to 20 felony and misdemeanor counts arising from a complex investigation into his late winter crime spree, which may have been fueled by a heroin addiction.

South Central District Judge James Hill ordered Tanner to serve four years at the state penitentiary followed by three years on probation. He is also required to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation and treatment. The question of restitution to the property owners will be left open for 60 days.

According to affidavits filed by Bismarck Police Detectives David Johnson and Lane Masters, officers used Facebook, store surveillance footage and interviews to identify Tanner as the suspect in several crimes reported around Bismarck in February and March.

Tanner's crimes included stealing one vehicle off the street and another from Bismarck Motor Company, the affidavits said. He stole gas from Simonson's and snatched purses containing credit cards that he used to buy thousands of dollars worth of stuff from stores, including Target, Menard's and and Walmart.

As officers tried to arrest him on March 21 and again on March 25, he fled in a stolen vehicle, according to the affidavit. He was finally arrested on March 26, when officers found him passed out behind the wheel.

In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, he admitted to using heroin shortly before and conceded it was a "motivating factor behind his crimes," according to an affidavit.

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