East Glacier man escapes police custody in Columbia Falls

An East Glacier man escaped from police custody yesterday afternoon after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Columbia Falls Police chased the man in patrol cars and a Two Bear Air helicopter for more than an hour before he was apprehended.

Christopher Calf Looking, 36, of East Glacier is charged with felony escape and partner or family member assault.

A woman called 911 at 9:38 a.m. reporting that her boyfriend had punched her in the face after she told him to move out, according to public call logs.

Calf Looking was arrested at about noon at a Wildcat Drive residence, Police Chief Dave Perry said. Pending bail, he allegedly escaped from the police department and ran back to the residence at 2:40 p.m. He was wearing no shoes and running in socks, Perry said.

Officers pursued Calf Looking as he ran east along the Flathead River toward the Cedar Pointe subdivision. Officers searched for him at River's Edge Park and Teakettle Fishing Access, before apprehending him at Glacier Inn Motel at 4:05 p.m.