Suspected burglar arrested after 'Spartan' race

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial announced a suspect arrested May 22 may be connected to a series of burglaries, thefts and vandalisms in the Whitefish area.

Andrew Dlask, 21, Libby, was arrested after a short vehicle chase, and police are currently seeking his accomplice. He was charged with vehicle theft and is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center. Additional charges are expected.

According to Dial, Dlask was riding a stolen mountain bike near Idaho Avenue and Waverly Place in Whitefish on Wednesday at about 2 p.m. when he spotted a Nissan pickup truck parked outside a residence with the motor running.

The owner of the vehicle came out a short time later and discovered his vehicle missing. An attempt to locate was broadcast.

About an hour later, a relative of the pickup’s owner observed the vehicle traveling east on East Edgewood Drive toward Columbia Falls and alerted the 911 Dispatch Center. Members of the Columbia Falls and Whitefish police departments and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks converged on the area to shut off all avenues of escape.

A Whitefish officer observed the Nissan near the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber mill and pursued it. Dlask drove the vehicle into the mill’s parking lot and fled on foot into a swampy area north of the mill. Dlask was apprehended after a lengthy pursuit by three Whitefish officers through thick forest, a creek and swamp land.

Dlask allegedly confessed to three burglaries, numerous attempted burglaries, felony criminal mischief, thefts of 6-10 bikes and some car break-ins. He told investigators he and his accomplice, whom he identified as a juvenile male, typically stole bikes and cruised residential neighborhoods during the day looking for houses where it appeared there was no one home.

According to his confession, he or his accomplice would approach the door and knock while the other served as a look out. If no one answered, they would either force the door open or, in some cases, find doors unlocked.

A man on East Second Street in Whitefish had earlier observed 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. He then reported his observation to police.

Dial strongly recommended that people lock their cars and homes.

Ironically, Whitefish Police Det. Shane Erickson, who pursued and caught Dlask, recently competed in the Spartan Race and related that the foot pursuit at the Stoltze mill was much like that race.