Man arrested at gunpoint after chase

WESTMOND — A 40-year-old Dalton Gardens man was arrested at gunpoint on Friday after a high-speed chase in southern Bonner County.

Trooper Enrique Llereneas said the motorist, whose name was not released, was driving southbound and attempting to overtake traffic in the northbound lane of travel but ended up crashing into sections of fencing.

"He lost control when he was in the northbound lane," Llereneas said.

An off-duty ISP detective was coincidentally heading home at the time and encountered the man in her unmarked police vehicle, Llereneas said. She attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the Westmond Store, but the man reversed at a high rate of speed in order to escape.

"He nearly rammed her," Llereneas said.

The chase continued southbound and the motorist stopped north of Athol and was taken into custody following a felony stop.

"He was taken into custody at gunpoint," said Llereneas.

State police do not believe he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Llereneas said it was unclear why the man was driving recklessly.

He is charged with aggravated battery, a felony, for nearly hitting the detective with his vehicle. He is further charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and failing to notify authorities of the crash, Llereneas said.

There were no injuries during the episode, which began at 3:51 p.m. Llereneas said the man was in custody at 4:12 p.m.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.