A suspected thief arrested three at gunpoint.

A Flathead Valley man is behind bars after allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint outside a Whitefish-area bar Monday night.

Timothy Robert Bleick, 36, faces one count of grand larceny following the alleged June 3 robbery. He remains in the county detention center, according to jail records, but no bond amount is listed. He has not yet been scheduled to appear in Flathead County District Court.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Bleick approached a man and two women standing near one of the bar's exits and pulled out a black Glock with white-tipped iron sights. One of the victims told Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that Bleick asked them to “empty your pockets.”

Another victim said Bleick threatened them, saying, “You think I’m playing (expletive)?” This is not a joke.

Afterward, the trio went back inside and alerted bar employees before calling 911, according to court documents. The victims also passed on the license plate of the white van Bleick was in, according to court documents.

Officers responded around 11:01 p.m. En route, they encountered a white Dodge Ram pickup truck heading east on Hodgson Road, according to court documents.

Officers found Bleick in the rear passenger seat of the van, according to court documents. They also discovered a firearm in the vehicle after the driver gave them permission to search it.

Theft is punishable by two to more than 40 years in prison, as well as a $50,000 fine. Since a gun was allegedly used in the robbery, the sentence could be increased from two to ten years.

Blieck, whose Martin City address is listed on previous court documents, pleaded guilty in Flathead County District Court in 2017 to felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute and felony drug in criminal danger in 2013.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].