Marlo Albia Tonasket is in custody

Marlo Albia Tonasket, the man wanted for pointing a laser at a Lake County Sheriff's deputy in front of his own home, is in custody according to Don Bell, Lake County Sheriff.

Tonasket was captured at about 11:15 today in the Mission area, Bell said.

Tonasket  is accused of using a laser light from a firearm or a laser pointer to aim at the chest of a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy at about 5 a.m. Nov. 22 and escaped law enforcement's capture until this morning.  

Information regarding this story will be updated as details are released. 

On the morning of the laser assault, a Lake County Sheriff's deputy was walking from his home in the Ronan area to his marked Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle when he noticed a laser dot pointed at his chest, Ben Woods, Lake County Undersheriff said in a press release.

“Fearing he was possibly going to be shot, he sought cover and observed that the source of the laser was a vehicle parked at the end of his driveway,” the press release said.  

“The deputy then gave chase to the vehicle and the pursuit lasted approximately 10 minutes and reached speeds of 80 miles per hour on paved and gravel county roads.”

The pursuit, which included Lake County Sheriff’s deputies as well as Flathead Tribal police ended on the US Highway 93 Frontage Road in Pablo.

“When the pursuit ended, the driver, identified as Marlo Albia Tonasket, fled on foot and was not captured,” the press release said. “A passenger, Matthew Manyhides of Polson was arrested on outstanding warrants for felony possession of drugs and DUI (driving while under the influence). A female passenger was detained for purposes of investigation, but later released without charges, pending further investigation.”

At presstime, execution of search warrants was underway, and it is still unknown if the source of the laser light was a firearm or a laser pointer, Woods said.

The suspects’ vehicle was searched and no laser pointer or firearm was located, the press release said. 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office would like to ask the public to contact the Sheriff’s Office if Tonasket is seen.  

Tonasket has an outstanding warrant from Shoshone County, Idaho, for possession of stolen property.  

Please do not approach or attempt to capture Tonasket, simply notify law enforcement of his whereabouts.  

Tonasket is a 36 year old Native American male, 5’11”, 180 lbs, brown hair and eyes.