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Man charged in November Billings Pita Pit burglary; two others remain at large

Posted at 6:29 PM, Dec 12, 2018
and last updated 2019-07-17 14:50:47-04

BILLINGS- A man appeared Wednesday in Justice Court in Billings on suspicion of burglary and criminal mischief after police say he broke into the Billings Pita Pit restaurant and stole $876 worth of cash and merchandise.

Raphael Walke, 44, is facing those charges stemming from an apparent Nov. 11 break-in. If convicted, he could serve up to 20 years in prison and up to $51,500 in fines.

Police responded that evening to the report of a burglary at the restaurant on Second Avenue North.

Police said the doorknob to the establishment was punched in and till drawers were removed.

Police say all of the activity inside the restaurant was caught on surveillance video showing three suspects, two of whom were wearing masks.

Police were able to identify features of the suspects after one pulled down his mask.

According to court documents, police also took fingerprints at the business after the burglars ransacked it.

The owners of Pita Pit posted photos of the suspects on their Facebook page, which led police to the capture and arrest of Walke.

Walke denied any involvement in the burglary, saying he was across the street from the Monte Carlo at the time in an apartment drinking. He also told police the clothes he was wearing at the time were given to him.

According to the Yellowstone County Detention roster, Walke was booked in on Nov. 11 and released on a $1,000 bond.

Police have not yet identified or captured the other two suspects in the burglary.