High-speed chase suspect back in jail following alleged violations

A Troy man accused of leading law officers from two states and three counties on a wild and bizarre chase in January is back in custody after allegedly violating his release conditions.

Caleb David Covey, 38, was returned to the Lincoln County Detention Center Oct. 28 following a report by Probation and Parole Officer Alice Rhodes. 

According to her report, she received a phone call on Oct. 24 from the defendant’s mother that he was not taking his prescribed medications and was exhibiting strange behavior. The report also indicated Covey’s mother believed her son may be having a psychotic break. 

She also said he was driving his truck in the yard outside their home.

According to Covey’s release conditions, he was not allowed to operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. and is required to take all medications prescribed for him.

Covey, who pleaded not guilty Feb. 26 to multiple felony charges following the hours and miles-long chase throughout south Lincoln County and into Boundary County, Idaho on Jan. 13, was released from custody July 2 after $500,000 bail was posted.

Defense attorney Sean Hinchey sought a reduction in his bail. At a May 16 hearing, Hinchey argued the original bail of $2.5 million was excessive, citing the offenses were largely property crimes and his mental health issues.

At the hearing, Covey’s mother testified to her son’s significant mental health diagnosis and struggle to maintain medication compliance. County Attorney Marcia Boris argued that while law enforcement understood the position of Covey’s family, the family had not been ensured his compliance with mental health treatment in the past.

Judge Amy Eddy agreed the $2.5 million bail was excessive and reduced it to $500,000, setting the stage for Covey’s release on July 2.

According to a court document, at an Oct. 21 hearing before Eddy, Hinchey and Boris had received copies of Covey’s evaluation which determined he was fit to proceed.

Three days later, authorities received the phone call from Covey’s mother that he was acting, “strange.”

Covey’s bond is currently set at $750,000. He is scheduled to appear for another bond hearing at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22. A pre-trial hearing is set for Jan. 23, 2025, and a jury trial is set to begin Feb. 26.

Covey is facing seven counts of felony criminal mischief, six counts of felony criminal endangerment and one count of felony theft. 

According to the Montana Department of Corrections, Covey was first held in a confidential location after he was taken to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with several self-inflicted wounds after the chase ended on Highway 200.

According to a statement by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Captain John Davis in the probable cause affidavit, Covey said he cut this throat in attempt to avoid going to jail.

“How did that not work? This is stupid, how did this not work,” Covey allegedly said to Davis during his arrest. “This was my mission and it didn’t work, I should have been dead.”

Law officers weren’t the only ones trying to stop Covey’s alleged rampage. A number of citizens also attempted to assist in derailing Covey’s pickup as it dragged another man’s truck through Libby. 

One of the men later went to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for injuries he sustained during the incident.

According to the charging document, it seems the incident may have been the result of mistaken identity.

Libby Police Officer Caleb Thomas spoke to the owner of a truck that Covey allegedly stole and drug around Libby. The man said he didn’t know Covey, but a neighbor allegedly told him that Covey’s girlfriend used to live in the man’s home.

The chase began at about 3:39 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. According to a narrative by Libby Police Officer Don Luthey, he was dispatched to a possible hit-and-run collision at a residence on Main Avenue. Luthey received information from Lincoln County Dispatch that a Ford F350 pickup was towing a camouflage colored Toyota pickup. The towed truck had struck a fence on Main Avenue, then a parked vehicle and a power pole on California Avenue. After hitting the pole, the tow line came loose, but an eyewitness said the man driving the Ford reattached the strap to the Toyota and drove away.

The chase ended when Covey slowed while driving on the winding road with high cliffs to the right and a cement jersey barrier on the left. Davis drove alongside Covey’s vehicle, pushed it sideway where it spun and stopped. He drew his gun and yelled to Covey to get out of the truck.