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Federal fugitive leads authorities on wild chase in Billings

Posted at 1:16 PM, Aug 19, 2018
and last updated 2019-07-17 14:51:53-04
(Justin Hosa / Q2 News)

Nick Montano, 33, was spotted by law enforcement at the Heights Walmart which led to a pursuit with Yellowstone County Deputies and Montana Highway Patrol Troopers.

The chase traveled the wrong way down Main Street. Montano drove south on Main Street in the northbound lanes of traffic during the pursuit.

The pursuit ended when Montano, driving a stolen Cadillac Escalade, crashed in the 2300 block of 7th Avenue North.

Montano then fled on foot, at one time breaking into a home in the area and being removed by the resident. Other residents in the area said they saw a man running by their windows as police and federal agencies joined the chase and the subsequent perimeter search of a 3 block area downtown.

Law enforcement believed they had Montano cornered in a home at 708 North 25th Street. They had found the residence with a kicked in door.

(Justin Hosa / Q2 News)

Due to the outstanding federal warrant, the U.S. Marshall Service and the ATF were on hand to lead in the capture of Montano.

After the residents of the home were out, officers went in and cleared the building. Unfortunately Montano was not found in the home.

(Justin Hosa / Q2 News)

Billings police along with federal authorities were in the process of a secondary sweep of the area when they found what appeared to be a large bag of drugs in the doorway of an apartment building at 703 North 26th Street.

Authorities began to search the building and eventually found Montano in the last apartment.

Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the building and gained access to the apartment where they arrested Montano.

No one else was found in the apartment.

Lt. Cady with the Billings Police Department said over fourteen Billings police, Yellowstone County deputies, Montana Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marshall Service and the ATF were on hand during the incident to assist in the capture.

(Justin Hosa / Q2 News)

Montano was known to have weapons and body armor. It is unknown at this time if he was found with a weapon or armor.

Montano is booked in at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on federal charges.