Columbia Falls man jailed after chase

A physical disturbance, a suspicious activity call, a high-speed chase and an alleged face full of drugs later, a Columbia Falls man is back in jail.

David Markwardt, 27, initially drew the attention of law enforcement shortly after noon Wednesday when he was seen inside a vehicle on Frontage Road in Columbia Falls that a woman was first kicking and then striking with a two-by-four.

The pair then switched places, with the woman sitting in the vehicle and Markwardt standing outside smoking a cigarette.

After walking through the adjacent trailer park, Markwardt — who was reported to be in possession of and under the influence of drugs — ran away just before Columbia Falls police arrived.

He would surface six hours later in the parking lot of Del’s Bar in Somers.

An employee reported Markwardt had been in their parking lot for an hour and wouldn’t leave when asked. The employee told police he was concerned Markwardt was on something and that he was pacing around the car.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said deputies located Markwardt shortly after he left Del’s, pursuing him at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.

“Initially he went northbound out of Somers, just a few hundred yards, then headed south and wound up just south of the intersection of U.S. 93 and Spring Creek Road in a private dead-end driveway,” Curry said.

While deputies advised the homeowner to stay inside and lock his doors, Markwardt locked himself in his vehicle  and reportedly began snorting what was believed to be methamphetamine. Then he decided to go on the move again.

“He put it in neutral and rolled downhill into the front of one of the cruisers, but there was no damage to any vehicles,” Curry said, joking, “Those high-end grill guards we bought paid off.”

Another deputy boxed in Markwardt’s vehicle so he could not escape, and he was taken into custody and transported to the Flathead County Detention Center, where he was booked early Thursday morning on preliminary charges of resisting arrest, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal endangerment.

Curry said Markwardt has a long criminal history, including his most recent arrest in January for disorderly conduct, obstructing justice and resisting arrest. He managed to stay out of jail last month — after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest — by posting a $10,000 bond on Feb. 16.

In 2010, Markwardt was charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor partner or family member assault, resisting arrest, and assault. He eventually pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges while the burglary charge was dismissed. For the conviction, Markwardt was given a two-year suspended sentence that would have lasted until Aug. 10 this year.

A petition to revoke his sentence in that case was filed earlier this year, and a hearing scheduled for just a few hours after he was again incarcerated Thursday was continued.

Markwardt also was charged with felony assault with a weapon in 2008, but entered into a deferred prosecution agreement.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.