Officers looking for man who escaped after pursuit

The Havre Police Department is looking for a man who allegedly led them on a short-lived pursuit and escaped on foot after the vehicle got stuck in the snow.

Matthew Allen Bell of Havre, 35, fled and eluded officers after he was spotted in a vehicle that was reported stolen, Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich said this morning.

The police report says a blue Dodge without license plates was spotted Wednesday night at 9:08 p.m. going northbound on Fifth Avenue.

Although the pursuit didn’t last long, Bell did reach high speeds, well above the speed limit, Matosich said.

The vehicle got stuck somewhere near Optimist Park, from where Bell allegedly left the vehicle and was able to elude officers. Matosich said.

Bell is wanted on 12 pending charges: motor vehicle theft, fleeing police officers, two counts of stop sign violations, two counts of speeding, criminal trespass to property, obstructing a peace officer or other public servant, two counts of criminal endangerment and failure to produce proof of insurance.

Bell is not a stranger to run-ins with the law.

He was arrested Jan. 18 on a Justice or City court warrant.

In January of 2017, Bell was arrested  on a theft charge and two Justice or City court warrants after a Clear Creek Road caller reported that an SUV was on the road with someone who appeared to be passed out behind the steering wheel.

On July 1, 2017, Bell was arrested on two Justice or City court warrants.