Arrests made after vehicle rammed, driver attacked

A report of an assault in progress last Friday in Polson resulted in the arrest of two men on multiple charges. Nathaniel Brooks, 30, and Dillon Brooks, 26, were booked into the Lake County Detention Facility, and charged with assault with a weapon, criminal child endangerment, obstructing a peace officer and fleeing from/eluding police.

Polson Police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Ninth Ave. W. at around 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7. According to the police report, the caller stated that they believed a pickup truck had intentionally rammed another pickup truck, after which two adult males exited their vehicle and began physically assaulting the driver of the struck vehicle.

At the time of the assault, the victim’s two children were inside the truck, “placing them at significant risk during both the collision and subsequent altercation,” according to Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

The suspects, later identified as Nathaniel Brooks and Dillon Brooks, then fled the scene.

Polson officers quickly located the suspect vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 93. Officers initiated a traffic stop near Rocky Point Road; however, the driver refused to pull over.

A pursuit ensued and concluded on Fox Road, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop. Polson officers detained Nathaniel Brooks at the scene, while Dillon Brooks fled into a nearby residence.

According to Simpson, law enforcement personnel immediately secured the area and obtained a search warrant. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies later entered the residence and successfully apprehended Dillon Brooks without further incident. Both suspects were booked into the Lake County Detention Facility.

Bonds total $350,000 for Dillon Brooks, who also faces a probation violation, and $50,000 for Nathaniel Brooks, who is also charged with accountability.

“This incident could have had a far more tragic outcome,” Simpson said in a press release. “The rapid, coordinated response by our officers and our partner agencies ensured the safety of the children involved, the victim and the community.”

He credited the swift resolution of the incident to the collaboration between the Polson Police Department, Flathead Tribal Police, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montana Highway Patrol.

“We are grateful for the teamwork and professionalism demonstrated throughout this operation,” he said.

The investigation remains ongoing.