Vehicle theft suspects found hiding under tree near Whitefish

Two suspects in a string of vehicle thefts were nabbed Monday in a forested area outside of Whitefish following a multi-agency manhunt, law enforcement officials said.

James Ekvall and Ashley Bruns were found hiding near a tree in Haskill Basin after they were detected by Two Bear Air's thermal imaging device, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office reported in a press release. The two were arrested and taken to the Flathead County Detention Center where charges were pending. 

According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were first alerted to a report of a burglary on Monday at 8:15 a.m., where they learned that multiple vehicles had been stolen. Upon investigating, a vehicle previously reported stolen was found abandoned at the scene. 

After sharing information about the thefts with other law enforcement agencies, the allegedly stolen vehicles were spotted by Whitefish Police Officers in the East Edgewood area. Whitefish officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspects reportedly fled in the stolen vehicles. 

The ensuing pursuit involved the Sheriff's Office, Columbia Falls Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Forest Service officers and aerial support from Two Bear Air.  

The stolen vehicles were later discovered abandoned near the Haskill Basin area. 

After an extensive search, Two Bear Air located the heat signature of two people hiding near a tree. Deputies and a K-9 unit responded and took both suspects into custody without injury.