Busted: Cops Nab 'Buddy Holly' Suspect

UPDATE...Kunst arraigned Friday, bail tentatively set at over $250,000

By GIL BRADY
Star-Tribune correspondent

Filed 6.1.07, 2.06 a.m., MST
Updated 6.1.07, 8:20 p.m., MST

JACKSON – With his modish dark hair and retro-looking glasses police say he sported last Sunday morning, some suggested he resembled a resurrected version of pioneer rocker Buddy Holly.

But a young, bespectaled man with a prior record but no sweetheart Motown deal, wanted in connection with a spree of arsons and burglaries here, is more than likely singing the blues in jail today.

Charged with one count of felony arson and at least one count of aggravated burglary, for becoming armed with guns following one larceny, Nicholas “Vegas” Kunst, 21, was arrested and booked into the Teton County jail late Thursday afternoon, according to Sheriff’s Capt. Gaylen Merrell.

On May 27, Kunst allegedly burglarized two vehicles and set fire to two condos—one being occupied—and tried unsuccessfully to break into several cars.

During Kunst's 11 a.m. arraignment today, Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Weichman, who lives with his family at Elk Run Townhomes, told Circuit Court Judge Timothy Day, during Kunst's bail hearing, that someone "rifled" through his wife's unlocked truck around the time of the alleged crimes in question.

Neighbors reportedly helped snuff out the fires. Damage was described as minor and no injuries were reported. However, several victims of the purported arsons and burgalries observed Kunst's arraignment under the watchful eyes of two sheriff's bailiffs.

Jackson Police Chief Dan Zivkovich said yesterday that Kunst was initially picked up, without incident, on a probation violation. However, the chief added, Kunst could face additional charges “depending on his state of mind” at the time of his alleged crimes.

Sgt. Scott Terry told a Star-Tribune reporter earlier this week that “multiple-good” witnesses reported that a man wearing black “Buddy Holly/Roy Orbison-style glasses” allegedly muttered something last Sunday—as he left one Elk Run Townhome—about “drinking.”

Terry added that the suspected arsonist-burglar was also seen leaving one torched condo carrying the stolen goods from another.

Zivkovich said Thursday that detectives are investigating whether Kunst was also involved in another spree of arsons here in late April.

“We just don’t know yet,” the chief said. “He could be.”

Merrell said Kunst was arrested at 990 Budge Drive. At roughly the same location on April 26, firefighters and police extinguished a torched Dodge Ram truck that also charred part of a rental cabin overlooking Sidewinders Tavern.

That blaze, which firefighters responded to at 4:19 a.m., was the second in a string of early morning arsons nearly five weeks ago that destroyed two other SUV-type vehicles.

Asked about a possible motive for Sunday’s arsons, Zivkovich said, “No, we don’t have one. But hopefully he’ll tell us.”

Police Cpl. Andy Pearson said last month that investigators had lifted a fingerprint off one burned-out car body. Zivkovich said yesterday that analysis of the print had not yet come back from the state crime lab.

Sunday's burglaries and blazes occurred near where the body of Jonathan Koberna, 24, was discovered May 23 partially submerged in Flat Creek, which winds through the same Elk Run neighborhood.

“Sunday’s crimes are not associated with the death that occurred in this same location last week,” officials said.

Police say a critical tip from a reader of the Jackson Hole Daily, which ran a composite image of the Elk Run suspect this week, led them to making Thursday's arrest. The paper is also reporting that Kunst stole guns from one apartment, which made him especially dangerous, according to police.

A law enforcement source, who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the case, said that Kunst also allegedly stole numerous laptop computers and possibly stereo equipment.

Weichman, who several times glared at Kunst as he sat shackled beside public defender Greg Blenkinsop, requested bail be set at $500,000. The prosecutor also insisted on exceptional release terms, should Kunst meet bail, to ensure monitoring of the defendant's whereabouts and the safety of the community.

Prosecutors also accused Kunst of previously lying to the court, including giving a false address on Aspen Drive, while on six month's probation for his passing over $1,000 in bad checks this past April.

Kunst answered Day's inquiries into his understanding of the charges and penalties he faces with soft and polite "yes and no, your honors and sirs" and frequently bowed his head during today's arraignment.

Day tentatively set bail at more than $250,000, pending a probation revocation hearing later this month. The judge also granted Blenkinsop's request to waive a speedy preliminary hearing for the defendant who returned to jail Friday.

His next scheduled appearance is June 21 for a preliminary hearing to determine if probably cause exists for the crimes he is charged with committing and probation terms he reportedly violated.

The defendant's probation violation charge arose from check frauds in March and April this year when Kunst allegedly passed over 20 bad checks to local businesses for about $1,300 from a closed bank account.

He served 14 days of an 180 day sentence in jail here, the remaining 166 being suspended as a condition of complying with the terms of his probation.

Kunst currently faces more than 50 years in prison and $80,000 in fines should he be convicted on all felony counts. Authorities said Friday additional charges against Kunst could be added, pending the findings of an ongoing investigation into events on May 27th and April 26.

(Click here & Read on courtesy of the Casper Star-Tribune)