Missoula police arrest suspect whose pursuit resulted in patrol car crashing into a house

UPDATE: May 28, 2026 1:37 p.m.

The suspect on the run who's police chase ended with a patrol vehicle crashing into a house was arrested after Missoula police confronted him while responding to a tip.

The Missoula Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest on Thursday afternoon. It said that earlier that day, the Missoula County 911 center received a call about a driver operating a black Nisan truck near Moose Creek Trail and Wyoming Street before abandoning the truck and fleeing on foot.

The truck had been reported stolen the day before, MPD said.

Officers responded found a person matching the description and recognized him as the suspect from the May 24 car chase and investigation. The suspect, armed with a knife, fled from officers onto the West Broadway Island.

The suspect "made statements and actions intended to provoke officers into using deadly force," MPD said. Officers used a drone and coordinated with a Missoula County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit to convince him to surrender without any incident.

The suspect was booked into the Missoula County Detention Facility for resisting arrest, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession, criminal endangerment, fleeing from a Peace Officer and burglary.

MPD said the investigation is still ongoing. It added that the investigation into Tuesday's crash is still active as well and is being conducted by Montana Highway Patrol in addition to MPD internal review.

"We understand the concerns that have been raised and want the public to know incidents involving pursuits, crashes, and police vehicles are taken seriously and reviewed through investigative and administrative processes," MPD wrote in its statement about the crash and the arrest.

MISSOULA, Mont. — A police chase ended with a patrol vehicle crashing into a house and the suspect still on the run, Missoula Police Department (MPD) said in a release.

MPD said the driver sped away from a traffic stop on May 24, leading officers on a pursuit.

The vehicle went north on Reserve Street, turned west onto England Boulevard and entered a neighborhood at a high speed. During the chase, MPD said a police vehicle failed to make the turn and crashed into a home at that intersection.

No one inside the house was hurt, police confirmed. The officer in the crash went to a hospital with injuries and was later released.

The suspect’s vehicle was found a short time later, but the driver had run away on foot, MPD said. Investigators later determined the vehicle was stolen and identified a person of interest.

The department asks anyone with information on the case to call Detective Sean McLean at 406-552-6281.

Article originally posted on May 26, 2026 4:49 p.m.