Runaway student faces burglary charge

SANDPOINT — A Glacier Mountain Academy runaway's last hurrah ended early Monday in felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

Kevin Palaniuk is charged with burglary, two counts of petty theft and resisting arrest. He remains held without bail at the Bonner County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Palaniuk, 17, was arrested near U.S. Highway 95 and Bronx Road after trying to elude a sheriff's deputy on a stolen bicycle. Palaniuk was apprehended shortly after fleeing into the woods on foot, the arrest report states.

Palaniuk is charged with entering the Exxon station at U.S. 95 and Superior Street in order to steal a 18-pack of Budweiser beer. Palaniuk also admitted stealing the bike he was found riding.

Palaniuk explained he was poised to enter a one-year "program" and decided to run away from the school for one last night of drinking, according to court records. A co-defendant, Landon Dane Phillips, also fled the school, but the two parted ways after drinking some of the stolen beer.

Phillips, 14, is charged with possession of alcohol.