Kalispell woman jailed after police chase

An allegedly armed Kalispell woman was jailed Tuesday evening after she led several law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase through Kalispell and into Evergreen.

According to a news release from Kalispell Police Department Patrol Captain Tim Falkner, Shalome Denny, 39, was arrested and lodged in the Flathead County Jail on a felony count of criminal endangerment.

Police responded to a call at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Liberty Street area, where the caller told police that Denny had borrowed her phone and drove off with it. The caller said she saw blood all over the door and fender of the car, which turned out to be ketchup. She also said there was a man inside the car and she believed he was injured.

According to the report, a Kalispell Police sergeant who was in the area found the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, and attempted to stop Denny, but she allegedly drove off. The officer pursued her along with several other Kalispell officers. During the chase, Denny reportedly called 911 and told a dispatcher she had a handgun and wanted officers to back away. Denny refused to stop, despite police efforts.

Falkner said that officers continued to chase Denny because of their concern for the possibly injured person, the handgun and Denny’s disregard for public safety.

The chase continued from the northwest part of the city toward the downtown before Denny drove north on U.S. 93. Police said Denny was speeding and driving through traffic lights. She then headed east on West Reserve Drive and drove around stop sticks placed on the road by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. She then turned on to Cheery Lynn Road in Evergreen to avoid stop sticks by the Montana Highway Patrol.

Denny then drove up a dead-end road and three Kalispell Police officers boxed her in, but not before she allegedly drove her vehicle into all three vehicles. Police said she was in the process of reversing her vehicle when officers got into the car and removed her after a short struggle. She did have a utility knife in her possession when she was arrested. Denny turned out to be the only person in the vehicle. The man who was in the car was later found unharmed after getting out before the chase began.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.