Woman foils thief with technology

A woman told the Whitefish Police Department that her purse and phone had been stolen Thursday from a Central Avenue business. She said she used the tracking device on her phone to locate both in a vehicle that had been parked near a U.S. 93 North address. She said the vehicle was unoccupied and the doors were unlocked, so she retrieved her items but later discovered things missing from her purse.

An Ashar Avenue resident called to complain about a large trailer parked behind his residence, blocking a window. Officers checked up on parking restrictions in that area.

A Lacy Lane resident requested officers’ assistance in asking a group of people to leave a pavilion by the lake. Officers counseled all parties involved.

Officers removed a raft from the middle of the highway on U.S. 93 West.

A tourist called police when he discovered his car had been keyed while parked in a lot on U.S. 93 West. Security video footage was used to find the suspect.

A man called police after a woman allegedly stepped in front of his car and “dared him to run her over” on East 13th Street. The caller said he did not know the young female, but thought someone should check on her. Officers were unable to locate the woman.

A Spokane Avenue resident called when he discovered two vehicles parked in the alley were completely blocking access to his driveway and home. Officers asked the owners of the vehicles to move, and they did.

Officers cited a man for public urination on Central Avenue.

A Lupfer Avenue resident called when a man he didn’t know allegedly walked in the back door and then left through a window. It’s possible the incident was a case of mistaken residence, as nothing appeared to be damaged or stolen.

Columbia Falls Police officers spoke with a couple of juveniles on Ninth Street West who were breaking curfew. The pair was advised of the rules and sent home.

A caller was concerned about a possible domestic disturbance in progress on Third Avenue West, saying he could hear a man who was “creating havoc” and children screaming. Officers checked the area and found a small group of people in a backyard holding a gathering around a fire pit. There were no altercations or disturbances.

The Whitefish Fire Department responded to reports of a power lines emergency on East Lakeshore Drive.

The Columbia Falls Fire Department investigated reports of smoke outside on First Avenue West.

The South Kalispell Fire Department responded to reports of a grass fire on Days Acres Lane; the Bigfork Fire Department responded to reports of a grass fire on Mud Lake Road.