Fugitive still on the loose
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 20 years, 10 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | August 17, 2005 11:00 PM
Hungry Horse News
One man is still at large and another has been captured after a three-day man-hunt and a high speed chase through Columbia Falls on Aug. 11.
Officials called off the search for Michael Marvin Dugan, 44, Saturday. Searchers had been looking for Dugan Friday in the area of Whitefish Stage Road and Montana 40 as he reportedly had been in that area.
Dugan, along with Joshua Hansen,18, allegedly escaped from the Garden County Jail Oshkosh, Neb. jail after assaulting a female corrections officer in June.
At the time, Dugan was being held on a theft charge. Hansen was jailed for burglary, possession of stolen property and fleeing arrest.
The two men had reportedly been working at the Blue Moon Nightclub Casino and Grill for about a month when the Flathead County Sheriff's Office got a tip about their location. They were living in a trailer near the Blue Moon.
They reportedly fled the club when a detective arrived looking for them and allegedly stole a vehicle, beginning a high-speed pursuit on U.S. 2 through Columbia Falls.
Hansen struck a truck on Grove Street as he went through Columbia Falls
Sheriff Jim Dupont said Hansen was traveling over 100 mph.
A road block was set up at the entrance to Glacier National Park by rangers and Sheriff Deputies.
Dupont said Hansen slammed into a Park vehicle and totaled the vehicle, before fleeing on foot.
Park rangers and deputies were able to chase down and apprehend Hansen. He was caught on foot by Ranger Steve Willis. North Valley Search and Rescue used tracking dogs to look for Dugan and got his scent a couple of times, only to lose it.
Columbia Falls Police Department received a call Tuesday that Dugan may have been in the area, but the person turned out not to be him.
As of Tuesday morning, it is believed that Dugan may have stolen a pickup truck and left the area.
Dugan is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. He has graying hair and a graying beard.
Anyone who may have seen Dugan is asked to call law enforcement immediately. The FBI is also involved in the search.
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