One teen nabbed after standoff

The Daily Inter Lake

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested Wednesday by Kalispell police - one after a standoff at a South Meadows home - in connection with Monday night's vandalism at Flathead High School.

Police Chief Roger Nasset said the arrests came after a rapid investigation that was boosted by anonymous calls identifying the suspects Wednesday morning.

The suspects face felony criminal mischief, burglary and theft charges. The names of the boys are being withheld until those charges are formally filed, Nasset said.

In the Monday night rampage, seven cafeteria vending machines were damaged, seven windows were shot with a BB gun, a phone was ripped off a wall and a vehicle window was smashed in the parking lot.

Nasset said the damage will exceed $10,000.

With the help of school officials, investigators quickly narrowed down a list of possible suspects that included one of the boys, Nasset said. Those suspicions were confirmed with anonymous tips that identified both boys.

"We had several people who gave us information that these same two people were involved," Nasset said.

Two warrants were issued to search the homes of both boys. The first teen was arrested without incident as he was leaving his house on Mission Way just after noon.

Nasset said that boy told officers that the other suspect would not surrender.

"Essentially, we would have to use force to get him out of there, that's what his co-conspirator told us," Nasset said.

While that interview was still being conducted, the other suspect called the police department.

"He said he wouldn't turn himself in and we wouldn't find him for several months," Nasset said.

During that conversation, officers were already en route to his home on Great View Drive - an address picked up by the department's caller ID system. The boy's sister came out of the house and confirmed he was inside. Neighbors confirmed that there were weapons inside.

Nasset said the police department's SWAT team was dispatched because of those factors, as well as the statements the two boys made and the fact that the suspect had made previous threats against law enforcement and was on juvenile probation.

Negotiators also were sent, but the boy did not respond to phone calls. Within less than an hour, however, the boy attempted to run out of the house, which was surrounded by officers.

After a short chase, officer Allen Bardwell tackled the boy, who was then arrested.

Nasset praised the work of Detective Sgt. Scott Warnell, school resource officers Doug Oberman and Carl Brisendine, and the department's major crime unit. He said the school staff played a big part in the investigation as well.

Nasset described both boys as "disgruntled prior students" at the high school.

"I don't know the circumstances for them leaving school," he added.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com