Kalispell Police officers resorted to firing 40 mm less than lethal projectiles late last month to arrest a man allegedly vandalizing his neighbors' property.  

Michael Kraig Anderson, 40, is facing a felony criminal mischief charge and a slew of misdemeanor counts in Flathead County District Court following the Sept. 30 showdown on the 300 block of East California Street. He is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan on Oct. 30 for his arraignment.  

Officers were headed to the neighborhood to respond to a report of a dog running loose at about 7:54 a.m. when they heard a popping noise, according to court documents. Investigating, the officers found Anderson arguing with another man in a yard.  

The noise the officers heard had come from Anderson allegedly using a pool cue to smash the back window of the other man's vehicle. Authorities later estimated the damage to the vehicle at more than $3,500.  

The other man retreated to his home at the officers' direction, court documents said. Anderson, meanwhile, allegedly ignored the officers' attempts at conversation and headed back into his home.  

But not for long. Anderson soon reappeared with a roughly 3-foot piece of wood in his hand and headed over to a neighbor's home, where he tried to get inside, court documents said. When Anderson ignored the officers' command to stop, they deployed the projectiles, according to court documents.  

He allegedly continued to struggle as they placed him in handcuffs.  

Later taken to the county jail, Anderson allegedly told investigators he was angry with his neighbors and admitted to using the pool cue. He also admitted to smashing a red barn window with a thrown rock, court documents said.  

Anderson was already suspected of throwing a rock through the window of a different neighbor's vehicle earlier in the morning, according to court documents. 

Along with the felony, Anderson faces a misdemeanor count of obstructing a peace officer and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. He remains in the county jail with bail set at $25,000. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins may be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].