A Libby man with a history of creating fake identities and running from the law absconded from probation just seven months after being given a suspended sentence in Flathead County District Court.

Harry Paul Mottsman, as he is known to the Montana Department of Corrections, also has been known as Harold Mattsman, Samuel Alexander Rose, Samuel Haley Rose, Burt Woods, Bart Woods and Dave Griffin, although he claimed at a 2011 hearing that he had legally changed his name to Samuel Haley Rose.

Mottsman, 57, originally was charged in Flathead County with felony forgery in 2009 after writing nearly $7,150 in checks on a fake Comerica Bank account.

Mottsman failed to appear for two hearings in two weeks, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. A daring plan by Moonlighting Detective Agency, executed by owner Charles Pesola and his agents, led to the apprehension of Mottsman two weeks later in Boise, Idaho.

One of the agency’s investigators had contacted Mottsman on Match.com and set up a date at the Cheesecake Factory in Boise. When Mottsman showed up for the date, Pesola and other agents chased him for 50 feet before apprehending him.

When he was caught, Mottsman had a Pennsylvania driver’s license, several bank cards and even a rental agreement under the name Bart Woods.

At the time, Pesola shared a concern that now seems to have been a premonition.

“If he gets out again, he’ll be gone,” Pesola said. “We’ll never hear from him again.”

Despite Pesola’s warnings, Mottsman’s attempted flight, his history of using aliases in several states and having active arrest warrants in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Pennsylvania, District Judge Stewart Stadler gave Mottsman a five-year suspended sentence July 5, 2012.

Mottsman had pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of felony theft.

According to the Kalispell probation and parole office, Mottsman’s status was updated to absconder on Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — of this year.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.