The Daily Inter Lake

Man flees on foot

A man led a Montana Highway Patrol trooper on a chase through at least two backyards Monday evening.

But he ditched the car and disappeared into some woods before a growing number of officers and law enforcement agencies could catch him.

Trooper Roger Dundas stopped a black Mazda MX-6 for speeding on Willow Glen Drive at about 6 p.m. After running the driver's license, Dundas found the man had a $30,000 warrant for probation or parole violation out of Flathead County. When Dundas ordered the man out of the car, he jammed the keys back into the ignition and took off, Dundas said.

The man went out the back of the driveway and through two backyards until he hit Valley Drive, which runs parallel to Willow Glen Drive. The man eventually ended up at the end of Concord Lane, which dead-ends in some woods, with Dundas close behind.

He screeched the car to a stop and bolted for the trees. He disappeared after a short foot chase, Dundas said.

The Montana Highway Patrol, Kalispell Police Department, and Flathead County Sheriff's deputies were out looking for him late Monday.

His car, used in the commission of a crime, is being taken by police as evidence.