Polson man accused of assaulting partner and fleeing from police

A Polson man is accused of punching the mother of his children and leading police on a pursuit through Polson while throwing firearms out the window. Harry P. Medland III, 35, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court March 13 to felony charges of criminal endangerment, criminal mischief and assault with a weapon.

He also pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of theft, partner or family member assault and fleeing from or eluding a peace officer. The charges carry a combined maximum of more than 42 years in prison.

According to court records, on Feb. 21, Polson Police were dispatched to a report of a woman in need of help. At the scene, an officer spoke with a woman who indicated that Medland came to her house saying he would kill her, and pointed a gun at her and brandished a knife while allegedly making the threats.

She also indicated that he appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl. She also said Medland punched her in the face and took her cell phone before she managed to escape. The officer observed swelling and bruising near the woman’s right eye.

While the officer was gathering the woman’s statement, emergency dispatchers received a report that Medland had gone to another residence looking for his daughters before leaving in a black pick-up. When law enforcement came upon the suspected vehicle, the driver accelerated and ran several stop signs before leading law enforcement officers on pursuit, traveling from the downtown area, then east to Memory Lane near Wal-Mart before circling back toward Polson.

At one point, the black pick-up stopped in the 1400 block of 7th St. E. where it took out a fence and damaged a garage while avoiding spike strips. The driver finally came to a stop near the 1500 block of 7th St. E., and Medland was taken into custody. He indicated that he threw some firearms out his window during the pursuit. Officers were able to recover all the firearms.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial Sept. 16. Medland remains in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $100,000.