In a major crime ring investigation, Flathead County Deputies along with the Northwest Regional SWAT team, brought in 46-year-old Michael Ray Downing, though to be the ring leader. He’s in the Flathead County Detention Center — his bail has been increased to $600,000, officially charged with Burglary, Tampering with a Witness or an informant, and a raft of failure to appear warrants. He’ll be back in court Thursday, May 29th.
It was a high-risk search warrant in Hungry Horse that brought out the SWAT team.
Appearing on the KGEZ Good Morning Show, Sheriff Brian Heino tells us the night before, the trio chained up a safe and towed it to a neutral place to open it.
The Sheriff tells us they’ve been working this case since last October. He says over 15 burglary cases across the county have been linked to Downing and his crew…with total losses and damages nearing $1 million. We’re told vacant residences and seasonal homes were the perp’s targets.
Also in custody are 35-year-old Ashley Nicole Bruns, being held on $100,000 bail until her August 4th court date, and 34-year-old James Irving Ekvall. He’s also being held on $100,000 with his next court appearance on Tuesday, May 27th. Both are charged with theft and burglary.
