Short, low-speed car chase in Highland Park ends in arrests

Hill County sheriff’s deputies and Havre police officers were involved in a short, low-speed car chase that ended with two arrests, including the driver who was also tasered while resisting arrest.

A driver on 19th Avenue West reported to 911 that his vehicle had been hit but the other driver did not stop at the scene of the crash.

The driver followed the other vehicle, a 2005 white Ford Focus, toward town and sheriff’s deputies picked up the pursuit on the 1000 Block of 16th Avenue West.

Police Sgt. Justin Gomke said deputies attempted to pull over the Focus near Havre Middle School, but the driver, Joshua Ian Beaumont of Havre, 47, proceeded at a low speed with deputies and police officers in pursuit for about two minutes in area.

Beaumont stopped near the Hillview Apartments, Undersheriff Stan Martin said, but was not compliant with commands from law enforcement so a deputy deployed a taser. Beaumont fell to the ground and was then taken into custody by officers.

Beaumont was arrested on initial charges listed as fleeing or eluding a peace officer, two counts; driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, two counts; obstructing a peace officer or other public servant; resisting arrest, two counts; driving under the influence; failure to give notice of an accident; failure to comply, two counts; and careless driving.

Of the three passengers in the vehicle with Beaumont, one was arrested. Collette Marie Stiffarm of Havre, 32, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant.