MISSOULA, Mont. — A man, identified as 39-year-old Jesse Baylor, was arrested on May 28 following reports of reckless driving and a stolen vehicle, linked to a prior pursuit and crash on May 24.
According to the Missoula Police Department, Baylor's initial incident began on May 24 when an officer observed his vehicle being operated in an extremely reckless manner on Reserve Street, prompting evasive actions from other motorists. Baylor subsequently fled into residential areas at a high speed before abandoning the vehicle and escaping on foot.
On May 28, the Missoula County 911 call center alerted police to a man driving a stolen black Nissan truck recklessly near Moose Creek Trail and Wyoming Street. The vehicle had been reported stolen on May 27 from the 2800 block of Brooks Street.
Responding officers located a suspect matching Baylor's description and pursued him onto the West Broadway Island near the California Street footbridge. Authorities said Baylor was armed with a knife and made threatening statements, attempting to provoke a deadly force response from officers.
A drone and a Missoula County Sheriff's Office K9 unit were deployed to facilitate Baylor's surrender, which occurred without injury. He was subsequently booked into the Missoula County Detention Facility on several charges, including resisting arrest, theft of a motor vehicle, and aggravated fleeing from a peace officer. The investigation remains active, overseen by the Montana Highway Patrol, while the Missoula Police Department conducts an internal review.