No injuries after high-speed chase

One man has been charged after he led multiple law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase on roadways and through fields last week.

Jay Vallejo, 28, of Manhattan, Mont., was arrested on charges of motor vehicle theft and “various traffic crimes,” a press release from the Polson Police Department stated.

Following further investigation, the department confirmed Vallejo would be facing more charges stemming from stolen property from a residential burglary in Missoula, as well as charges relating to identity theft including fraud and deceptive practices.

He was taken to the Lake County Detention Facility in Polson after the pursuit.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, a Polson Police Officer witnessed a traffic violation near Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Polson.

The officer initiated a traffic stop, activating the patrol vehicle’s emergency red and blue lights.

The violator, later identified as Vallejo, pulled to the side of the road and then sped off before the officer exited the patrol vehicle.

Pursuing the fleeing vehicle, the officer ran the license plate through Lake County Dispatch, which then relayed the vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Missoula County.

Speeds of the chase reached 60 mph as the stolen vehicle and PPD vehicle left Polson.

During the pursuit, PPD said that “traffic was minimal” and once the fleeing car reached and drove on U.S. Highway 93, speeds of 100 mph were reached.

Driving “through fields, a yard and an irrigation ditch before returning to the roadway,” stop sticks were unsuccessfully deployed on Clairmont Road.

As Vallejo drove the vehicle through a yard, rocks were kicked up, causing damage to the front of the vehicle he was driving and causing the vehicle to come to a stop.

During the pursuit, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Flathead Tribal Police, Ronan Police Department and the Montana Highway Patrol joined to assist.

Stolen items were believed to have been in the stolen vehicle, PPD said.