Missoula, MT— Two suspects, believed to be involved in a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts throughout the Flathead Valley, were arrested Monday after an extensive multi-agency search involving both aerial and ground support.
The incident began at approximately 8:15 a.m. when the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary in the Whitefish area. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that several vehicles had been taken, including one that was later found abandoned at the scene by the suspects.
Shortly after, Whitefish police officers spotted the stolen vehicles in the East Edgewood area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the suspects fled in the stolen vehicles, prompting a large-scale pursuit. Several local and state agencies, including the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia Falls Police Department, the Montana Highway Patrol, and U.S. Forest Service officers, joined the effort. Aerial support from Two Bear Air was also deployed to assist in the search.
The stolen vehicles were eventually found abandoned near the Haskill Basin area, prompting the launch of a search operation. This involved the use of K9 teams, drones, and further aerial surveillance by Two Bear Air. The aircraft’s thermal imaging capabilities eventually led to the discovery of two individuals hiding near a tree. Deputies and a K9 unit responded to the location, successfully apprehending the suspects without incident.
James Ekvall and Ashley Bruns were arrested and transported to the Flathead County Detention Center, where they are currently being held pending formal charges. The pair is suspected of being involved in a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts throughout the region.
In a statement following the arrests, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the cooperation of partner agencies and local property owners. “We would like to thank our partner agencies and local property owners for their vital assistance during this operation,” the department said in a social media post.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet released further details about the charges the suspects will face. However, the arrest marks a significant step in addressing the recent string of crimes in the Flathead Valley.
