NewsCrime Watch

Actions

Man arrested after pizza delivery vehicle theft and chase in Butte

Posted at 9:14 PM, Dec 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-21 23:47:36-05

BUTTE – A police pursuit that resulted in one police car being heavily damaged ended in a Butte neighborhood Thursday evening on McKinley Street.

Butte police arrested Waylon Willie Bearground, 28, of Deer Lodge, who faces numerous charges, including felony vehicle theft and two counts of criminal endangerment. Bearground is accused of stealing a pizza delivery vehicle from the parking lot of Papa John’s on Harrison Avenue about 8 p.m.

While police investigated the scene at the restaurant, they were able to track the stolen vehicle because the restaurant puts a GPS device in their delivery vehicles.

“As we were taking the report, Papa John’s was able to track their vehicles through the signage on their vehicles, they tracked that vehicle coming south on Harrison,” said Butte Undersheriff George Skuletich.

While the Butte police patrol was pursuing the stolen vehicle on Harrison Avenue, the driver of the stolen car slammed on his brakes and the police car rammed into the rear of the stolen vehicle.

“That vehicle, the suspect vehicle, then drove through the parking lot of the Town Pump on Dewey and exited that lot almost striking another Highway Patrol car that was also involved,” said Skuletich.

Butte police say Bearground abandoned the vehicle near Busch and McKinley and ran away.

“They tracked the footprints in the snow and were able to locate the male hiding in a yard,” the undersheriff said.

Police say the suspect’s actions put many people’s lives in danger. Bearground also faces a DUI charge and remains in jail Friday.

Story by John Emeigh, MTN News