Posted on 02/03/2006 12:50:51 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper
KALISPELL -- A fugitive who led law enforcement officers on two chases and caused Canadian Customs officers to walk off the job was apprehended Thursday night in a city park here.
Responding to a tip, officers from four agencies surrounded Michael Murphy, 32, who was hiding in the bushes at Kiwanis Park.
Flathead County Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Provo said Murphy tried to run but gave up. He was unarmed.
Earlier Thursday, Canadian Customs officers at the Roosville border crossing in southeastern British Columbia walked off the job over an alert that Murphy might be heading to the border, union spokesman Ron Moran said.
Moran said a border officer received word Wednesday night that Murphy might be headed to Canada from Montana. She was told he might be armed and dangerous.
The officer stayed on the job for fear of being disciplined, he said.
Management responded by telephoning the border guard every 15 minutes, Moran said.
"That's how they decided to deal with it. 'I'll call you every 15 minutes to see if you're alive,' " he said.
A more senior officer came to relieve her Thursday morning, learned of the situation and walked off the job, he said.
Management took over and called in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for backup.
The Canada Border Services Agency has said the guards have the legal right to refuse to work if they believe they are in imminent danger.
As it stands, border guards are supposed to allow anyone suspected of being armed and dangerous into Canada and then call police.
Dan Liebel, local president of the Customs Excise Union, said the situation shows that Canada's border guards need to be armed.
"Here we are caught with no form of protection when somebody comes up with lethal force, this is an armed-dangerous watch for this fellow, so he's armed, we're not. It's embarrassing for us."
The incident began around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, when officers with the Adult Probation and Parole Department, along with Kalispell police, went to Murphy's home in northwest Kalispell to conduct a search.
Murphy has been convicted of two counts of forgery, two counts of theft, deceptive practices and bail jumping, according to the Montana Department of Corrections.
When he saw the officers approaching, he fled in an SUV, Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner said.
Police ended the chase when Murphy reached speeds of 120 mph.
Murphy then called authorities and said he wouldn't be taken alive, Garner said.
At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, a Montana Highway Patrol officer spotted Murphy, and another pursuit ensued. Garner said a police officer rolled his patrol car during the chase and suffered minor injuries.
That chase ended near Lone Pine State Park, where Murphy abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.
Nah, this happend in NW Montana, I'm on the opposite end of the state.
THAT is good news. I hope the new PM can get some solid traction to improve Canada. It's been CanaDUH for several years.
Okie-doak, there Scobey.
At 120 MPH, that's about a 4 hour drive. LMAO
"The Canada Border Services Agency has said the guards have the legal right to refuse to work if they believe they are in imminent danger."
Collective barganing agreement will get you out of anything... Funny how all those agencies are unionised as are all the other essential services in Canada...
It's been a few years since I been up to Canada, and the last time I went through customs just north of me, the border station here was staffed with two RCMP officers, and this was long before 9/11. In fact, I believe the last time I was in Canada was probably back in 1994.
Pass
I know you'll be busy watching her for the next hour.
You're joking right?
Took in a music festival too, and drank Miller Genuine Draft beer (imported) LOL!!
I just looked at my watch and it's 3:00pm. Oprah comes on at 2:00pm here on WABC-NY.
WOW !
"Canada's border guards need to be armed."
"That's how they decided to deal with it..."
'I'll call you every 15 minutes to see if you're alive,' "
"A more senior officer came to relieve her Thursday morning, learned of the situation and walked off the job..."
Canada Ping!
Please FReepmail me to get on or off this Canada ping list.
The newly-elected Conservatives say they will make good as soon as possible on their leader's pledge to arm Canadian border guards.
The Conservative MP for the area says when Canadian border guards are facing a gun fight, batons and pepper spray just won't do. "It simply reinforces the fact that our customs officers work in a very dangerous situation," said Russ Hiebert.
"And as a Conservative government we're committed to giving them the resources and the equipment. And that includes giving them the sidearms that they need to handle these kinds of dangerous situations."
CBC News
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