Man threatens officers with machete after high-speed chase

Following a high-speed chase, Kalispell Police officers apprehended a man using stop sticks and a stun gun after the man allegedly threatened officers with a machete Tuesday night.

Kalispell resident Ryan Lewandowski, 28, was arrested and charged with criminal intimidation, criminal endangerment and assault on a peace officer.

At about 11:30 p.m., officers responded to a business off U.S. 93 South for a man who was reportedly threatening employees, according to a press release from the Kalispell Police Department.

Authorities located the suspect’s vehicle speeding away from the scene, the driver believed to be armed and intoxicated.

With the assistance of Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies, Kalispell officers pursued the vehicle through the south side of Kalispell.

One officer was nearly struck while attempting to deploy stop sticks and had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over by the vehicle.

A deputy successfully deployed stop sticks in the area of Cemetery Road, flattening two of the car’s tires.

The car continued down U.S. 93 at a high speed, eventually stopping on Snowline Lane.

Lewandowski allegedly then exited the vehicle, advancing on officers with a machete in his right hand.

Held at gunpoint, Lewandowski dropped the weapon and officers used a stun gun in order to bring him into custody.

Further charges are expected to be filed.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.