Alleged assault sets off 5-hour manhunt

A five-hour manhunt involving three different agencies ended with the suspect, a Columbia Falls man, being handed over by his father at the Columbia Falls Police station early Tuesday morning.

After allegedly threatening multiple family members with a knife and injuring one, Wayne Armstrong, 28, reportedly ran out the back door of the Columbia Falls residence before authorities arrived, according to Columbia Falls Police Chief Clint Peters.

According to Peters, the injured victim did not require hospitalization.

Officers responded to the report of a physical disturbance at 10 p.m. Monday night, and called on the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Two Bear Air for assistance in apprehending Armstrong once they discovered he had fled.

Five hours later, after an extensive air and ground search, Peters said Armstrong was delivered to the station by his father at 3:30 a.m.

“All that searching, and then he was brought to our back door,” Peters said.

Armstrong is currently being held at the Flathead County Detention Center pending felony charges.

Peters said he expects Armstrong will be charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.