BUTTE – A pursuit that resulted in a police car being damaged began after a Deer Lodge man stole a pizza delivery vehicle in Butte Thursday evening.
Butte police arrested Waylon Willie Bearground, 28, of Deer Lodge, who faces numerous charges including felony vehicle theft and two counts of criminal endangerment.
Bearground is accused of stealing a pizza delivery vehicle from the parking lot of Papa John’s on Harrison Avenue at about 8 p.m.
While investigating the scene at the restaurant, police were able to track the stolen vehicle because the delivery vehicles are equipped with GPS devices.
“As we were taking the report, Papa John’s was able to track their vehicles through the signage on their vehicles, they tracked that vehicle coming south on Harrison,” said Butte Undersheriff George Skuletich.
While Butte police were pursuing the stolen vehicle on Harrison Avenue, the driver of the stolen car slammed on his brakes and a police car rammed into the rear of the stolen vehicle.
“That vehicle, the suspect vehicle, then drove through the parking lot of the Town Pump on Dewey and exited that lot almost striking another Highway Patrol car that was also involved,” said Skuletich.
Butte police said Bearground abandoned the vehicle near Busch and McKinley and ran away.
“They tracked the footprints in the snow and were able to locate the male hiding in a yard,” the undersheriff said.
Police added the suspect’s actions put many peoples’ lives in danger. Bearground also faces a DUI charge and remained in jail Friday.
-Reported by John Emeigh/MTN News
