Two Helena Residents Charged With Theft After Stealing From Cathedral

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Two Helena-area residents are charged with stealing a silver bowl and a custom wooden donation box from the Cathedral of St. Helena.

The Independent Record reports 18-year-old Gary Bristol of East Helena and 19-year-old Nicoline George each face a felony theft charge for taking the items, valued at over $4,100, on Jan. 21.

Both appeared in Justice Court Monday, but did not enter pleas. Bond was set at $25,000 each and their preliminary hearings were set for Feb. 20. Court officials say they were being appointed public defenders.

Court records say police tied Bristol and George to the crime after comparing surveillance video from the Cathedral theft to video of suspected thieves taken at a Helena thrift store. Store employees got a license plate number and the car was traced to George.