Male arrested after a vehicle pursuit and area search

CATALDO — Local law enforcement tracked and arrested a male for eluding after leading them on a vehicle chase and running from his vehicle.

Early Wednesday morning, law enforcement from St. Regis, Mont., advised the Idaho State Police (ISP) of a rented 2023 Chevy Tahoe that had been in the area of a suspicious death believed to be a drug overdose. Authorities thought the Tahoe would head to Washington state, and St. Regis requested help identifying the vehicle and its occupants. ISP advised area law enforcement of the request.

Around 10:20 a.m., a Shoshone County Sheriff's Office deputy located the Tahoe on westbound I-90 near milepost 54 and attempted a traffic stop. The Tahoe did not stop, and the deputy initiated a pursuit. The Tahoe exited at milepost 40 and continued toward Latour Creek near Dudley Road and Buckner Road, where the deputy lost sight of the vehicle. However, the unoccupied Tahoe was found nearby, with drugs and guns inside.

Knowing the occupants were potentially armed, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office assisted ISP and Shoshone County units with tracking dogs and additional personnel. Around noon, law enforcement found and detained a female. About an hour later, law enforcement also located a male walking on a public roadway, where he was taken into custody without incident.

The male, a 35-year-old from Washington, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on probable cause for eluding and an outstanding arrest warrant. The female, a Washington woman in her 30s, is expected to be released. The Tahoe was impounded. Troopers continue to investigate the incident.

Throughout the search, Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey provided several social media updates to warn area residents of potential danger. Law enforcement believes all suspects are in custody, and there is no known threat to the community. If area residents locate possible contraband or evidence, please do not touch it and call 911 so law enforcement can respond.

“We would like to thank Montana Highway Patrol, Pinehurst Police Department, Idaho State Police, Bureau of Land Management, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and all the citizens that offered their assistance,” SCSO Captain Jeff Lee said.