Kalispell man arrested for alleged robbery

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell man accused of threatening to beat up a man who owed him money - before forcing him into the chilly water of the Flathead River - was arrested Sunday.

Mark Irvine, 45, is charged with robbery and assault with a weapon, both felonies, in connection with the November 2008 incident. He also was wanted for bail jumping.

Investigators said Irvine was taken into custody at his home on Second Avenue West about 7:30 p.m. Sunday after Kalispell police received a tip he was at the residence.

Officers also arrested Irvine's son, Derrick Irvine, 19, on suspicion of obstructing a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, Irvine, Brandon Christopher Sands, 18, and two other men brought the alleged victim to the Presentine Bar area of the Flathead River and then robbed him of $30.

Sands, who is charged with one count of accountability to robbery, was arrested earlier this month.

Irvine and the alleged victim reportedly were in a dispute over $60 in unpaid rent.

After driving the alleged victim from a home on Ridgewood Drive in Evergreen to the river and then taking his money, the suspects pulled out aluminum baseball bats and threatened to beat the man unless he jumped into the river, prosecutors allege.

Irvine, Sands, and the other two men waited until the alleged victim was chest deep in the river before driving away.

Irvine last was arrested in July 2008 after officers shot his pit bull. Irvine alleges the shooting was unprovoked. Officers said the dog was charging.

If convicted of all charges, Irvine could face more than 60 years in prison. Sands faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Irvine has yet to be arraigned.