Two jailed after alleged separate police chases

Two men are locked up in the Lincoln County Detention Center after they allegedly engaged in separate police chases last week.

One involved a 53-year-old Libby man, Matthew Robert Allen, on Monday, Nov. 11.

Allen is facing several misdemeanor charges, including fleeing from a peace officer and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle and drug paraphernalia.

He is being held on $20,000 bail.

According to the probable cause statement by county deputy Andrew Smith, he was on patrol at about 3:50 p.m. Nov. 11 on U.S. 2 near mile marker 33.5 when he saw a silver GMC Acadia driving north. Radar indicated the vehicle was driving 61 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone.

When the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, it turned onto E. Cedar St., then headed west before proceeding north on Main Ave at a speed of 40 mph without stopping or signaling. Smith said the vehicle made an abrupt left turn at Oak Ave. without using a turn signal before pulling into the driveway of a Main Ave. residence.

Allen allegedly got out of the vehicle and walked toward the deputy while he gave commands that Allen allegedly ignored. Smith said Allen then ran to his house and tried to enter through the front door before the officer used his Taser and arrested Allen.

Smith said Allen gave consent to search the GMC and he found a cigarette pack with a marijuana cigarette in the cup holder. Smith said he found a glass pipe with burned marijuana in the unlocked center console.

After Allen was taken to the county jail, officers there called deputy Smith and told him the accused was asking for his parents to get his case with his medications so it could be taken to the jail. Allen’s father retrieved a silver case. Smith reported the case held a glass pipe and snort tube that had white residue on them.

The second chase involved a transient, 56-year-old Ronnie Wayne Lee.

He is being held on $50,000 bail and faces charges of criminal endangerment, obstruction of a police officer, fleeing from police and reckless driving.

He made his initial court appearance Nov. 18 in front of Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield. His next hearing is set for Nov. 27.

According to the probable cause statement by county Sheriff’s Office deputy Andrew Smith, he was on patrol shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, on U.S. 2 near Spruce St. when he saw a blue Chevy Silverado driving east. He followed the truck as it turned west onto Spruce St. and checked the license plate through dispatch.

After turning east on Larch St. without using a turn signal, the truck failed to stop at the stop sign as it returned to U.S. 2, headed south. The deputy followed the truck and turned on his lights as the truck speeded up and changed lanes without signaling.

Smith reported the truck crossed into the other lanes as it passed Bowen Hill Road and drove in the emergency lane at 75 miles per hour. While passing Saverite South, Smith reported a vehicle driving north and was nearly involved in a head-on collision with the Silverado, missing it by a few feet, while traveling an estimated 85 mph.

Smith reported the truck forced another northbound vehicle off the highway, again nearly causing a head-on collision. The truck then came to an abrupt stop with the man jumping out as the truck still moved.

After a foot chase, Smith arrested the man and identified him as Lee by his Iowa ID. Dispatch reported Lee’s California driver’s license was expired and that he didn’t possess a license to operate anywhere else.

Dispatch also reported the truck was registered to a dead man.

Smith said when he asked Lee if he had a driver’s license or insurance, the accused replied, “no.” The deputy also reported Lee told him he bought the truck from a man who first bought the truck from the dead man.

A conviction for criminal endangerment may result in a 10-year term in the Montana State Prison.