Car chase ends in arrest

POLSON — A local woman was sentenced in District Court to five years in prison for violating her probation agreement and fleeing law enforcement.  In February,  Valdena Curley was convicted of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, and received a five year suspended sentence.

Since the sentencing Curley has violated several of her probation conditions including maintaining a residence approved by a probation officer, failure to search or secure any form of employment, failure to report to probation officer as directed, drug use, and  failure to follow city, county, state and federal laws.

According to court documents on Aug. 9, Lake County District Court issued a warrant for Curley for absconding supervision.

Curley was arrested on Oct. 10 while attempting to flee law enforcement. According to court documents, Polson Police Officer Rick Schoening was in the Walmart parking lot when he was approached by off duty Tribal Police Officer Casey Couture. Couture advised Schoening that he had just observed Curley walk out into the parking lot and wanted him to check if she had an outstanding warrant.

Schoening contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and according to court records, dispatch advised him that there was a $50,000 arrest warrant in effect for Curley.

Schoening observed Curley driving a red Ford Thunderbird with a man in the passenger seat as they exited the parking lot.  Records state that Schoening followed the vehicle and asked dispatch to run the license plate on the vehicle, it came back registered to a man from Kalispell.  

According to court records,  the vehicle turned eastbound on U.S. Highway 35. Schoening stated that he illuminated his emergency lights and attempted to make a traffic stop west of Delaney’s Landscape. The vehicle failed to stop and continued eastbound at a normal speed of approximately 45 mph.  Reports state that Schoening continued to use his emergency siren and lights in attempt to stop Curley. He also said that he used his PA system and gave Curley verbal commands to stop the vehicle, including driving alongside the vehicle and motioning for her to pullover.

Curley then turned south on Haack Road with Schoening in pursuit. According to court documents, Curley slowed as if she was going to stop, when the passenger door opened and a small statured male exited through the passenger door and motioned for Schoening to stop and talk to him. At this time, Curley sped off at a higher rate of speed and Schoening followed.

Schoening was joined in the pursuit by Polson Police Chief Wade Nash. According to court records,  Polson Police Assistant Chief Clinton Cottle was in position north of Curley as she continued  on Turtle Lake Road. Reports state that Curley must have seen Cottle because she made an abrupt eastbound turn into a private dead end lane. Curley continued up the driveway out into the pasture where she exited the vehicle and began running south. Curley climbed several fences on her way to the canal and began heading southbound.

Shortly after losing sight of her,  Cottle was able to locate Curley and place her under arrest near a residence on Red Barn Lane.  Cottle was then joined by Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Gillhouse. Gillhouse then  transported Curley to the Lake County Detention  Facility.

During a search of the vehicle an empty syringe was located under the driver’s seat  and two more under the passenger seat. Located in the center counsel was a blue and black bag containing a glass pipe showing residue consistent with marijuana. Also, found in the vehicle were 20 pills of a narcotic pain reliever.  The car was reported as stolen and damaged in court documents.

Curley was charged with the offenses of criminal contempt, a felony, obstructing a peace officer, a misdemeanor and eluding a peace officer, a violation.