Man gets 20 years in theft case

COEUR d'ALENE - A 51-year-old Coeur d'Alene man was sentenced to 20 years in jail last week in Kootenai County District Court for charges stemming from a November 2012 vehicle theft.

Dennis Halseth, who will be eligible for parole after five years, was sentenced by Judge Ben Simpson after a two-day jury trial on charges of burglary, grand theft, eluding an officer and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Hasleth was found in possession of a vehicle stolen in Bonner County on Nov. 5, 2012. When an officer with the Post Falls Police Department attempted to pull him over, Hasleth fled, striking the police vehicle in the process.

The officer was unable to continue the pursuit due to damage done to his vehicle and Hasleth was later arrested in Otis Orchards, Wash.

Hasleth, according to the press release, has a "lengthy" criminal history including two felony and 18 misdemeanor convictions.

"He has a history of not complying with the requirements of probation, and a demonstrated disrespect for the law and law enforcement," the release states. "He was deemed to be an extreme threat to society because of the likelihood he will continue to commit crimes."

Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said in the release that Simpson was left with only "one rational result" in the case: jail time.

"Until he changes, he will be a danger to the community to commit further crimes that place others in jeopardy," McHugh said.

"I hope that he will have the opportunity to seek treatment and change his ways while in prison so he can be a productive member of society."