Alleged Burglar Pepper Sprays Homeowner [DOCUMENT]

27 year-old Joshua Swigert appeared in Justice Court Friday charged with felony burglary.

According to court documents, on Thanksgiving evening the homeowner, Brant Geersten, responded to a burglar alarm inside his garage. When he attempted to enter the building armed with a baseball bat, the intruder shoved the door from the inside, keeping Geersten from entering. The intruder fled, and while being chased by the homeowner, allegedly sprayed him with pepper spray.

Swigert was apprehended nearby by Missoula Police, and a can of pepper spray was found underneath a vehicle he had been hiding under.

Swigert appeared in Justice Court Friday, and Judge John Odlin set bail at $75,000. He is currently in the Missoula County Jail.