Escaped prisoner puts scare in Havre

A prisoner on the loose in Havre Tuesday fled into the city's downtown area, prompting a lockdown of schools and other public buildings.

Police were notified at 11:22 a.m. that Gabriel Arkinson, who faces multiple charges including attempted homicide, escaped from Fort Belknap Indian Reservation authorities as he was being transported from the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.

The prisoner was handcuffed and shackled at the time.

He was apprehended a little more than two hours later.

Jason Barkus, Havre's assistant police chief, said Arkinson, 29, took flight at 1st Street and 6th Avenue, traveling south. Officials said the transport officer escorting Arkinson did not say how the prisoner escaped.

Havre public schools were placed on lockdown, along with the Hill County Courthouse and the HRDC Building, barring anyone from entering or leaving the premises.

Law enforcement agencies. including the Havre Police Department, the Hill County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the U.S Border Patrol, were on the streets as they searched Havre for anything that could lead them to the escapee's capture.

It was reported at the time that Arkinson was wearing a green prison uniform, orange shoes and shackles.

Throughout that time, sidewalks were deserted, with curious drivers slowly moving along, scanning the area for anything peculiar. Some, such as an employee at Heirloom Jewelers, locked their doors, fearing for their safety and their merchandise.

Calls from concerned residents to Havre Police surged to the point that two extra dispatchers had to be called in.

Parents received text messages that the schools were on lockdown. Classes continued, but no one was allowed to enter or leave the school.

At one point, law enforcement officers gathered outside Lincoln-McKinley Primary School to formulate a plan going forward.

Montana State University-Northern remained open, but officials said they were ready to close if need be.

During the search, police warned people not to try to apprehend Arkinson.

"If you see anything just call 911 right away, don't try and apprehend him," said Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich.

Officers dispersed soon after, to resume canvassing the streets.

"Officers are going street by street, block by block," said Matosich, as officers climbed into their respective vehicles and sped off.

Arkinson was later spotted in the building housing Western Drug Pharmacy and the U.S. Social Security Administration on 5th Avenue. He entered the building around 1 p.m. and became locked in after the building went into lockdown. He was later found by a guard stationed in the Social Security Office.

Law enforcement was notified of Arkinson's location at 1:36 p.m.

Vehicles from every law enforcement agency rushed into the parking lot behind the building, and Arkinson was subsequently taken into police custody.

City residents and the schools were then notified of his capture and the lockdown on schools was immediately lifted, according to personnel at the Havre schools.

Matosich later praised the community for its support.

"A big thank you to all the other agencies for helping out and apprehending him as soon as possible," he said.

Arkinson was temporarily held at Hill County Detention Center Tuesday, before being transferred to Fort Belknap Detention Center.

He will face pending charges of felony escape, along with charges of attempted homicide, attempted aggravated assault, assault on a peace officer, criminal endangerment and a previous charge of escape.

Despite repeated attempts, no law enforcement or legal agency would comment on the details regarding crimes Arkinson is accused of, or specifics about the legal proceedings going forward.