Man denies charges in robbery, high-speed chase

Following an alleged armed robbery and car chase in July, David Warrant, 57, has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of accountability to robbery, felony criminal endangerment and criminal possession drugs in Flathead District Court on Aug. 10.

According to court documents, Kalispell Police Department responded to a report of an assault with a gun in the Home Depot parking lot on July 7. An officer, who was in the area, saw a small vehicle with no license plate being driven in the center median, passing other vehicles.

The officer pursued the vehicle through residential neighborhoods and saw the vehicle drive through stop signs and was speeding in excess of 60 mph, court documents state. When the driver — later identified as Warrant — reached a cul-de-sac, he reportedly began driving on a bike path at high speed. He then entered the U.S. 93 bypass and was traveling in the wrong direction onto an on-ramp, causing another vehicle to quickly pull over. By this time, the vehicle reportedly reached a speed in excess of 100 mph.

During the pursuit officers learned that the vehicle contained the suspect involved in the earlier alleged armed robbery at Home Depot. Stop strips were placed in the road and eventually the vehicle was stopped.

Joshua Buck, 31, was identified as the passenger. Both were taken into custody and are currently held at Flathead County Detention Center. Buck is charged with felony robbery and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Buck will be arraigned Thursday.

Officers later spoke with the robbery victim who reportedly said he saw two men leave the store with carts of merchandise that hadn’t been paid for. When the victim attempted to stop the driver from leaving, Buck allegedly pulled out a handgun and stated “I will kill you.” The victim then backed away, fearing for his safety, when the pair fled the area.

A search warrant for the vehicle was obtained and officers found several tools in original packaging, and a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun with a loaded magazine. Officers also found what was believed to be methamphetamine and heroin, which has been sent to the Montana State Crime Lab.

A jury trial is set for Oct. 10 at Flathead District Court.

If convicted of accountability to robbery Warrant may face between two to more than 40 years in Montana State Prison. A criminal endangerment conviction may result in a 10-year maximum prison sentence. A criminal possession of dangerous drugs conviction could result in a five-year maximum prison sentence.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.