Accused Michigan Murderer Still on the Run in Montana

(UPDATE: July 11, 2023, at 7:21 a.m.)

Sanders Country Sheriff's deputies say they've apprehended a Michigan man who had escaped during a prisoner transfer over the weekend, leading to hours of safety concerns in the Plains area.

Deputies reported Monday evening they had caught 42-year-old Chadwick Shane Mobley, who had been on the run since he escaped during a prisoner transfer late Sunday morning.

Authorities say a private contractor was moving Mobley between the two counties as part of the transfer process that will eventually see him return to Michigan to face changes. He was able to slip away near the Town Pump at the east end of Plains.

That prompted a community-wide alert, with deputies warning people to lock their cars and not answer their doors as Mobley was considered dangerous.

Shortly after 6 pm yesterday, deputies following a tip were able to locate Mobley hiding out on River Road west of Plains, where he was taken into custody without further incident. No further details were provided, but the location would indicate that Mobley was apparently able to work his way through town unnoticed and cross to the south side of the Clark Fork River.

The Sheriff's Office is thanking residents for phoning in tips and information, dispatchers for taking multiple calls, and the Plains Police officer who played a key role in the case.

Mobley was arrested in Libby late last month after DNA tests had identified him as a suspect in the shooting of a Michigan woman in the head in 2011. He had been located in Utah where he had been living last year before vanishing.

(First report: July 10, 2023, at 7:37 a.m.)

Sanders County authorities are still looking for an escaped murderer who escaped during a prisoner transfer over the weekend.

The Sanders County Sheriff's Office says 42-year-old Chadwick Shane Mobley was being transferred between Lincoln and Sanders County when he was able to escape late Sunday morning near the Town Pump in Plains. Mobley was arrested late last month after DNA tests identified him as a suspect in the shooting of a Michigan woman in 2011.

Michigan authorities say he was located in Utah, where he then took off, being caught in Libby on June 30th. He escaped while being transported by a private company to be returned to Michigan.

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Sanders County deputies have been warning residents to stay safe and report any sightings of Mobley. That includes locking buildings and cars and keeping keys secure, including homes even when people are inside. Other advice includes keeping cell phones close to call 9-1-1 and not answering the door or responding to any calls for "help" from outside. Above all, deputies say people should NOT approach Mobley is they see him.

Authorities say they're following up as quickly as possible on any tips and ask people to call with any information that might be helpful. At this point, they aren't sure if Mobley is still in Sanders County, but they will continue searching until they have information that indicates he's outside the area or has been apprehended elsewhere.