Spartan-style foot chase leads to arrest in Whitefish

A 21-year-old Libby man allegedly associated with a recent string of burglaries in Whitefish was arrested Wednesday afternoon after fleeing on foot from police.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial says Andrew Ryan Dlask has confessed to three burglaries, numerous attempted burglaries, felony criminal mischief, theft of up to 10 bicycles, and car break-ins. Police are still seeking his alleged accomplice.

Dlask was caught by Whitefish detective Shane Erickson after a lengthy pursuit on foot through a thick forest, a creek and swamp near the F.H. Stoltze mill between Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Erickson, who recently competed in the Spartan Race in Bigfork, told Dial the foot pursuit was similar to the obstacle race.

In a media statement, Dial says Dlask was in the area of Idaho and Waverly Place at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday when he saw a Nissan pickup parked outside a residence with the motor running. Dlask, who was riding a stolen mountain bike, parked the bike near the pickup and drove from the scene in the pickup. The owner of the vehicle came out a short time later and discovered his vehicle was missing.

An hour later, a relative of the pickup owner called 911 after seeing the vehicle heading toward Columbia Falls on East Edgewood.

Police from Whitefish and Columbia Falls, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks officials converged on the area to shut off all escape routes.

A Whitefish Lieutenant observed the vehicle near the F.H. Stoltze mill and pursued it. Dial says Dlask then drove the stolen vehicle into the mill parking lot and fled on foot into a swampy area north of the mill with three Whitefish officers in pursuit on foot. Detective Erickson eventually caught and arrested Dlask.

Dial says Dlask told investigators that he and his accomplice, who he identified as a juvenile male, would steal bicycles and cruise residential neighborhoods during the day and look for houses where it appeared there was no one home.

One of them would approach the door and knock while the other served as a lookout. If no one answered the door, they would either force the door open, or in some cases, doors were found unlocked.

In one instance, Dial said, a man on East Second Street observed the two burglars attempting to enter a neighbor's house and then attempt to enter his vehicle. He confronted them and took Dlask's picture with his cell phone and then reported his observation to police.  

Dlask is currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center for vehicle theft. Additional charges are expected.   

Whitefish Police strongly recommend that residents lock their vehicles and homes.