HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A Box Elder man was arrested on Friday evening after Havre Police say he refused to leave Havre Ford.
29-year-old Lance Jordan Courchane is facing pending charges that include felony assault on a Peace Officer (minor or no injuries). He is also facing pending midemeanors that include criminal trespassing, obstructing a Peace Officer, resisting arrest, assault with bodily fluid (non-aggravated) and DUI. Courchane also was cited for expired registration and no insurance (1st offense).
The Havre Police Department says they received a report at around 5:30 PM on Friday of a male in the Ford showroom that had been asked to leave numerous times and appeared “high on something and freaking out.”
Three police officers arrived at the scene and located the suspect. The Police say Courchane appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, was saying weird things and thought that Ford owed him a vehicle.
Courchane attempted to fight the Officers but was arrested. He was placed in handcuffs but would not allow Officers to place him in the patrol car. Officers then pepper sprayed Courchane, who responded by spitting in one of their faces.
Officers were eventually able to get Courchane into the patrol car and transport him to the Detention Center, where he is currently being held on $40,000 bond.
According to the Hill County Sheriff’s log, after Courchane was taken to the Detention Center, he was taken to a local hospital or clinic for treatment of injuries after having been pepper sprayed.
Officers from the Havre Police Department cleared the scene at 6:44 PM Friday.
The Officer that was spit on was taken to the hospital for treatment after potentially being exposed to a communicable disease. He has since been released and is in good health.
No one else was injured, and no property damage was reported.
