BILLINGS — Two men are facing up to 40 years in prison for allegedly breaking into a north Billings home, threatening to kill one woman, beating another and stealing about $1,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia early Thursday morning.
Caeland Delmon Ackerman, 18, and Jaylon Makahil Clark, 19, made their first appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court Thursday afternoon on charges of aggravated burglary, a felony, and obstructing a peace officer.
A third person, a 17-year-old boy, was also arrested in connection with the incident, but it's unclear whether he is facing charges.
The three men discarded two guns in the neighborhood after fleeing the scene, and Billings police are seeking help finding them.
A woman told police that she was awakened at 4 a.m. at her home on the 700 block of North 22nd Street by a loud thumping at the door. She then saw three men breaking through her door identifying themselves as Billings police, Yellowstone County prosecutors said in charging documents.
One suspect shoved a shotgun into the woman's face and pushed her down, then threatened to "blow her head off" if she looked up, prosecutors said. The men moved through the house demanding money, and one pointed a shotgun at the woman's 3-year-old daughter, according to charging documents.
A second woman at the residence told police the men broke through her bedroom door, struck her with their guns and dragged her into the living room, demanding money, prosecutors said. She identified one of the men as Clark.
The woman managed to break free and run outside. One man, Ackerman, chased her but ran away when she flagged down a Billings police officer.
After a pursuit, multiple officers corralled Ackerman, Clark and the 17-year-old near the intersection of North 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue North.
Police recovered the $1,000 in cash, marijuana pipes and other items in a bag carried by the 17-year-old. One of the woman said they were hers and that her boyfriend had a medical marijuana card.
Billings police recovered a shotgun in the front yard and believe two hand guns were discarded in the area. Call 657-8200 with any information on the guns.
Ackerman and Clark are in Yellowstone County jail.
Bail for Clark was set at $150,000 and Ackerman for $30,000.
