POLSON – A federal fugitive was arrested after a Friday afternoon standoff in Polson.
Local police received an anonymous tip that Eli Stops — also known as “Sleepy Loko” — was hiding from law enforcement at a home in the 600 block of 2nd Street West, according to Polson Police Sgt. George Simpson.
Stops was wanted by the US Marshals Service for an outstanding federal warrant.
Polson officers went to the residence in an effort to find Stops and saw him inside. Officers entered the home, at which point Stops concealed and barricaded himself in the attic.
A perimeter was established and after negotiations failed, officers sprayed pepper spray into the attic. Negotiations resumed after that point and Sgt. Simpson says Stops surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
“The level of commitment and courage your law enforcement team showed today is nothing short of extraordinary. I am very happy of our department and the assisting agencies,” Polson Chief of Police Wade Nash said.
According to state prison records, Stops has criminal and theft charges out of Missoula and Lake counties.
The Flathead Tribal Police Department, Ronan Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Polson City Fire Department, and Polson Ambulance Crew all assisted the Polson Police Department.
Mark Thorsell, MTN News
