Two arrested for high-speed pursuit with toddler in car

Two drivers are accused of drunkenly taking turns behind the wheel as they led police on a high speed chase from Fort Belknap to east of Chinook Friday night in a stolen SUV carrying five people, including a 16-month-old boy.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Finley said the 2015 Ford Escape used in the chase had reached speeds of up to 120 mph and was eventually stopped, and three people were arrested after the vehicle ran over spike strips that were laid out by Blaine County sheriff’s deputies.

Terry Sandcrane of Fort Belknap, 38, was arrested on suspicion of criminal endangerment, child criminal endangerment, aggravated driving under the influence, obstruction, reckless driving and fleeing. Jeri Bear, also of Fort Belknap, 28, was arrested on suspicion of criminal endangerment, child criminal endangerment, fleeing, obstruction, driving with a suspended license, aggravated DUI, intimidation and reckless driving. Finley said the intimidation charge is for threats Bear made to officers.

Finley said the pursuit started in Fort Belknap at about 10:50 p.m. after the vehicle was stolen from a resident. MHP took over the chase, with reservation police continuing as back up, once the vehicle had driven off the reservation.

Aside from Sandcrane and Bear, one of the other passengers in the car, whose name was not provided, was arrested on a  warrant. The three who were arrested were apprehended without any resistance, Finley said.

The mother of the 16-month-old was not arrested. Finley said both the mother and the child were OK and that the mother didn’t know the drivers were going to flee.

Neither Sandcrane nor Bear are listed on the jail roster this morning.