Men held for theft of woman's purse

A man entered Papa Byrd’s Bistro Thursday night shortly after closing and tried to steal a purse belonging to an employee.

The employee was still in the bistro and allegedly saw the man run out with her purse and went after him yelling for him to drop the purse. The suspect dropped it. The employee identified the thief as Danny Gondek, according to acting Bonners Ferry Chief of Police Joel Minor.

Gondek, 20, was caught with his alleged accomplice Daniel Nicholas, 19, while they were making a call from the Panhandle restaurant pay phone.

Police said the men are blaming each other for the attempted theft.

The men were arrested and remain in Boundary County jail.

Gondek is being held on a $50,000 bond and was on probation at the time of the crime. Nicholas is being held on a $10,000 bond.

They are both facing felony burglary charges.