Man arrested for targeted arson and 15 hit-and-runs

Bruce Edward McLain, 64, was arrested earlier this week on an accusation of deliberately hitting multiple vehicles with his car early Monday morning.

McLain is being held on a $150,000 bond for criminal endangerment, several counts of criminal mischief, arson and tampering with evidence, Havre Police Lt. Aaron Witmer said.

Witmer said McLain is acccused of 15 hit-and-runs that occurred between 3 and 8 a.m. on Monday, March 16. He said McLain allegedly attempted burn down to the local Girl Scouts’ garage by setting fire to some empty pallets.

He added that McLain attempted to burn down a house during his crime spree Monday morning. During this time, he also called in a fake disturbance which was suspected to be an attempt to distract police, but the incident is still under investigation.

McLain then allegedly drove the car he used to commit the hit-and-runs out into the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and set fire to it in an attempt to destroy evidence, Witmer said.

The incident is still under investigation by the Havre Police Department, but so far, the only connection between the targets of these crimes is that they all had personal “beefs” with McLain and the motive appears to be revenge, Witmer said.