The Albert Lea man who led police on a manhunt last month after he allegedly broke into a house and killed a dog has pleaded not guilty to his charges.

Trouper Montgomery Gilbertson, 24, appeared in Freeborn County District Court on Tuesday. He invoked his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial.

Gilbertson faces charges of first-degree burglary, cruelty to animals and possession of a firearm by a felon tied to the alleged armed burglary on Oct. 13 of a house at 411 Commercial St.

Court documents allege Gilbertson broke in while carrying a loaded rifle and, while inside, he allegedly cut a dog’s throat with a knife. It later died.

Two days later, Albert Lea police issued a plea to the public asking for help in finding Gilbertson after they had unsuccessfully searched for him.

Dispatchers later that evening received a report of a gas drive-off at the Super America gas station at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Minnesota Highway 13 involving a silver Pontiac Grand Prix.

Gilbertson was reportedly the passenger in the vehicle and Bailey Ehren Mitchell, 18, of Albert Lea the driver.

A deputy spotted the car shortly after at the Cenex gas station in Hartland and attempted to pull it over, but Mitchell allegedly began driving southbound on Highway 13, reaching speeds as high as 115 mph. The pursuit went through Manchester and ended near Alden.

Both men allegedly fled on foot from the car after it got stuck in a field, and deputies found Gilbertson in an old schoolhouse at 66788 220th St., according to court records.

He faces an additional charge of third-degree burglary tied to the alleged break-in at the schoolhouse.

Gilbertson is being held in jail on a total $55,000 conditional bond. His trial date has not yet been set.