Suspect pleads guilty to burglary

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man charged with burglary and attempted grand theft pleaded guilty Tuesday, shortly after a jury was seated to hear the case against him.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, the state agreed not to pursue a persistent violator enhancement against Donald Robert Rasor. The enhancement carries a mandatory penalty of five years to life in state prison upon conviction.

A 60-member jury pool was summoned to hear the case because of the potential severity of the punishment.

After a lunch break, 1st District Judge Steve Verby advised jurors that there was an unanticipated development and excused the panel. Rasor entered the pleas outside of the jury’s presence, although jurors were later apprised of what had taken place.

Rasor, 52, was allegedly caught red-handed burglarizing a south Sandpoint home on June 27. A homeowner pursued Rasor to Condo del Sol and Sandpoint Police fanned out in the complex looking for him.

Two teens coincidentally arrived at their unit during the search and discovered Rasor inside. They fled the unit and contacted officers, who found Rasor inside nonchalantly eating a peach, according to the arrest report.

Rasor was charged as a persistent violator due to two prior burglary convictions in Bonner County and convictions in Stevens County, Wash., for possession of a stolen vehicle and attempted eluding of law enforcement.

Rasor is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 2. A burglary conviction in Idaho can result in a prison sentence of one to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Attempted grand theft is punishable by up to seven and a half years and a $25,000 fine.

The state has agreed to recommend a fixed prison term of no more than five years, although that recommendation is not binding upon the court.

After entering the pleas, Rasor’s bail was reduced from $100,000 to $30,000, court records show. Rasor argued that he is not a flight risk and has strong ties to the community.