MISSOULA — Local law enforcement is continuing to search for a third suspect who fled from law enforcement on Wednesday.
Jordan Randal Christensen – who is considered armed and dangerous – is described as being 6’ tall, weighing 195 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen in dark-colored clothing.
Missoula County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jeannette Smith noted on Thursday morning that anyone who sees Christensen should not approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.
The incident began when Smith says deputies responded to a call of attempted felony theft of a trailer near Grove Street at approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The reporting citizen startled the suspects who then fled the scene.
The citizen provided a description of the vehicle which led to collaboration with Missoula Police Department investigators as the description of the vehicle was linked to other incidences within the city, according to Smith.
A Missoula County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle in the Mullan Road area, west of Missoula, and then attempted to stop the vehicle. Smith says the suspects fled and a short vehicle pursuit took place. The suspects drove through a fence and into the mill site and then exited the vehicle and continued to flee into the brush on foot.
Law enforcement on-scene followed and were able to apprehend and take into custody one of the three suspects. The other two continued on foot. One of the two men was later located by a Two Bear Air crew who directed law enforcement on foot to the area and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
"They directed law enforcement that were searching on the ground to the area where the suspect was located, and they took the individual in to custody without incident," Smith told MTN News.
The search for Christensen continued utilizing air assets and associated technology until they were unable to detect any human activity in the search area. Smith adds that a ground search continued until just before midnight.
Deputies continued to patrol and search the vicinity through the early morning hours on Thursday. Additionally, several leads were reported by citizens and were followed up by investigators. Smith says that local law enforcement is continuing to search for Christensen and welcome any leads from the public.
According to the Montana Department of Corrections Correctional Offender Network Search website, Christensen is on probation following a 2018 sentencing for criminal endangerment out of Mineral County.
- information from Katie Miller and Mark Thorsell included in this report.
