Man allegedly kicks his way to a felony charge
Morgan Alan Pruett faces one felony count of criminal mischief in Flathead County District Court in connection with the May 29 incident. Held in the county jail with bail set at $15,000, Pruett is scheduled to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht on June 19 for his arraignment.
Columbia Falls Police officers located Pruett after receiving a report about 9:40 p.m. of a man in blue jeans and a black tank top wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat damaging vehicles in a parking lot near Second Avenue West and Seventh Street West. Pruett at first denied kicking anything, but later amended his story to say that he "did not kick anything that he did not own," court documents said.
But a review of surveillance footage allegedly showed Pruett kicking the passenger door of a white Ford Flex parked in the lot. Then Pruett headed over to a parked Columbia Falls patrol vehicle and kicked the driver's side door, court documents alleged.
The strike to the Ford Flex left a roughly 18-inch wide dent with an estimated cost of more than $1,500 to fix, court documents said. The patrol vehicle appeared unscathed.
After noticing signs of impairment while talking with Pruett, officers sought a preliminary breath test, which returned at 0.202, according to court documents.
Pruett faces up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted of felony criminal mischief.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aussies warned as 'dangerous' discovery on road hints at growing issue
Police have issued a stark warning to Aussie teens and their parents after a 15-year-old boy was charged following the discovery of a "dangerous" modified BMX frame. It comes as authorities around the country are ramping up efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use and modification and on July 15 police in Gympie, Queensland, intercepted the teen allegedly driving a homemade motorbike. Police allege the motorbike had been created by modifying a BMX bike frame to remove pedals and add electric motors controlled by a throttle, with duct tape holding much of it together. The modifications meant the device was deemed a motorbike without indicators, lights, reflectors, a bell or brakes. 'A powerful bike in the hands of an unlicenced and inexperienced driver is extremely dangerous to not only the rider, but also the other road users,' Inspector Shane Draper said, explaining that the vehicle requires registration, insurance and a driver's licence. To be considered an e-bike and to be legally used on public roads and footpaths, pedals must be the primary source of power, the maximum continuous motor output must be 250 watts or less, and the motor must only provide assistance of up to 25 kilometres per hour. The teenager was issued a notice to appear in Gympie Children's Court on August 14 and was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence, driving an unregistered vehicle on the road, and driving an uninsured vehicle. "Beyond enforcement, police are committed to educating the community about the dos and don'ts regarding e-bikes to ensure they're empowered to make smart decisions on the road," Inspector Draper said. 👀 Little-known rule could see you lose licence without driving a car 👵 Elderly clash with youths on e-bike in 'battle of the beaches' 😟 Recurring e-bike complaint 'disgusting' Aussies Parents urged to get involved to reduce dangerous e-bike usage Inspector Draper also urged parents to get involved with e-bike awareness, identifying their key role in helping to reduce the number of youngsters turning to dangerous e-bike use. "I especially urge parents to be familiar with the regulations and road rules regarding e-bikes and to work with their child to understand and respect those rules," he said. "This is all aimed at reducing the significant road trauma, fatalities and life-changing injuries we have seen from the use of the e-bikes." Concerns continue to mount as youngsters turn to e-bikes There have been a number of incidents involving teenagers unsafely driving e-bikes, like the incident in Sydney where shocking footage was captured of "about 30" teens riding alongside cars travelling 70 kilometres per hour, with one rider spotted filming on his phone while riding one-handed. Last week, a 17-year-old boy was charged with manslaughter after a woman was killed by an out-of-control e-bike in Perth's north. New South Wales is proposing to launch a new program targeting school children to promote safe e-bike use and could commence in some schools as early as mid-September. "[The trial] focuses on a number of the basic rules for bicycle users, but also on etiquette and respect," Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, previously told Yahoo. "It also includes helpful knowledge around bicycle security and equipment." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Man wounded in shooting at house party near USC
A 25-year-old man was shot and wounded outside of a house party near the University of Southern California campus early Sunday, police said. Officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Budlong Avenue near Jefferson Boulevard, in the University Park area, at around 1:50 a.m. after learning of the incident, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, Upon arrival, they found a large crowd of people who were leaving what they believed was a party. They did not find a victim at the scene, but later learned that the man had taken himself to the hospital. The victim, still unidentified, was said to be in stable condition at the latest, according to police. Investigators did not have information on what led up to the shooting or a suspect.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
2 people taken into custody following shots-fired call in Scott Township
Two people were taken into custody Sunday after police responded to a shots-fired call in Scott Township. Just before 10 a.m., Scott Township police were dispatched to the 600 block of Carothers Avenue for reports of shots fired. The 911 call indicated that an argument had escalated into an exchange of gunfire between individuals at the scene. Responding officers determined that the two suspects went into an apartment along Carothers Avenue. One man then left the apartment complex shortly after police arrived, and he was taken into custody without incident. The second suspect remained inside the apartment, and officers then called to activate the South Hills Area Council of Governments Critical Incident Response Team. After multiple attempts to communicate with the suspect, they ultimately exited the residence and were also taken into custody without incident. The suspects were later identified as Travis Coles, 30, and Ean Strimlan, 21. Both will be charged with three counts of simple assault and three counts of terroristic threats, according to a media release from Scott Township police. Coles also had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Pittsburgh for terroristic threats. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as evidence is further examined.
