Man arrested after high speed chase

Havre Police officers and Hill County Sheriff’s deputies were involved Monday evening in a vehicle and foot pursuit of a Havre man, after a vehicle was reported stolen from First Street business.

Chad Wagner of Havre, 25, was arrested on charges from both the sheriff’s office and police department including motor vehicle theft, two counts of trespass to vehicle, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, driving under the influence, obstructing a peace officer or other public servant, careless driving, failure to carry proof of vehicle insurance and failure to report an accident, Police Capt. Aaron Wittmer said, adding that if damage to the barricades totals more than $1,500 that would come with a felony charge.

A caller at the Zip Trip on First Street reported at 6:57 p.m. that a vehicle had been stolen. Sheriff’s deputies recognized the vehicle on 11th Street West near Havre Middle School at 7:36 p.m. and reported they were in pursuit of the vehicle, Wittmer said. The driver damaged the vehicle striking traffic barricades at a construction site in the Highland Park area and the pursuit, with both deputies and officers involved continued into the Smithville area, Wittmer said.

The suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle and the pursuit continued on foot, Undersheriff Stan Martin said, and callers in the Smithville area reported that a man was attempting to steal another vehicle before being apprehended.

An unrelated hit and run vehicle crash occurred Friday at 7:37 p.m. on the 300 Block of Main Street where a Jeep Grand Cherokee T-boned another vehicle in the intersection, Wittmer added.

The driver of the other vehicle was transported with injuries to the hospital, Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson said.

Wittmer said, officers are investigating the incident and looking for the driver of the Jeep. Anyone with information can call Havre Police at 406-265-4361.