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Oilmont man charged with felony theft and assault with a weapon in estate theft case

Posted at 12:43 PM, Mar 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-06 14:43:33-05

BOZEMAN, Mont. – An Oilmont man is behind bars after he reportedly shot a pistol at another man – after the pair and a woman allegedly conspired to steal $50,000 in cash and dozens of firearms from the estate of a deceased man.

John Peter Todoroff, 54, was seen in Gallatin County Justice Court on Wednesday morning and was charged with conspiracy to commit theft and assault with a weapon. Todoroff is being held on a $50,000 bail.

According to charging documents, on Feb. 26, 2019, Todoroff reported the theft of property from his residence in Belgrade. He reported that another man had stolen $50,000 in firearms and $25,000 in collectibles. The man, Andrew Foster, was stopped later that day. On Feb. 27, 2019, a search of Foster’s vehicle turned up a number of items that Todoroff reported missing, including 17 firearms, large quantities of ammunition, a gun safe and cash.

On Feb. 28, a Gallatin County Sheriff Office Detective interviewed Todoroff and Kimberley Buckle, 50, who also resided in the Belgrade home. Both Todoroff and Buckle agreed that Foster stole firearms from the estate of Elerd Weber.

The detective spoke with Weber’s brother and next of kin also on Feb. 28, who requested the case be investigated.

When questioned, Foster admitted to conspiring with Todoroff, Buckle and another man, John Weber (no relation to the deceased man), to steal approximately $50,000 cash and dozens of firearms from Elerd Weber’s estate.

Foster told the detective that on or about Feb. 21, 2019, he was with Todoroff in a basement in the home on Springhill Road when Todoroff allegedly fired a .45 caliber pistol round in his direction. Foster said the bullet passed so close to his head he could feel the shockwave of the bullet on his ear and the gunshot hurt his ears. Foster also reported that Todoroff fired a second round into a desk.

A search warrant for the residence was executed on Mar. 5, 2019 and during the search approximately $8,000 cash and a gun safe were recovered. Firearms belonging to Elerd Weber’s estate, a shattered cell phone (believed to have been impacted by a bullet), a spent .45 caliber casing and two spent bullets were found.

On Mar. 5, 2019, Buckle was interviewed and admitted the cash in her room belonged to Elerd Weber. She also reportedly admitted that she was one of four people who split approximately $50,000 cash belonging to Elerd Weber that was found after his death.

During an interview on Mar. 5, 2019, Todoroff allegedly admitted receiving approximately $12,000 out of the $50,000 cash belonging to Elerd Weber and named Foster, Buckle and John Weber as co-conspirators for the theft. Todoroff also reportedly admitted firing a .45 caliber round from his pistol while in the residence with Foster. He denied firing a second round.

Buckle was also charged with conspiracy to commit theft, a felony.

Todoroff’s next court appearance is scheduled for Mar. 29, 2019.