The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is asking the public's help in locating an orange Acura Integra whose driver fled from deputies in a high speed chase from Highway 93 into Missoula on Tuesday.

Public Information Officer Brenda Bassett said the incident began at Chief Looking Glass fishing access site and campground between Lolo and Florence, and eventually led to a car chase in Missoula.

Bassett said, "It was reported that earlier that day the suspect had an encounter at Chief Looking Glass with someone and had displayed a machete, so we are warning people not to approach him."

"Our dispatch center received two calls on Tuesday about a moving violation for an orange Acura that was coming up Highway 93 South," Bassett began. "The Acura passed several vehicles on the shoulder and was driving erratically, weaving in and out of traffic. One of our deputies cam upon the vehicle at about Blue Mountain Road and got behind it at the Buckhouse Bridge, turned on his lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop."

Bassett said the pursuit then led through the streets of Missoula.

"He kept driving pretty erratically and ended up going down several Missoula streets to 39th and then back to Brooks," she said. "Just because of the way he was driving, the deputy decided to call off the pursuit because he posed too great a risk to the public"

Bassett said authorities have leads as to the identity of the driver, but are asking the public's help in identifying the individual.

The sheriff's office has released photos of the vehicle and its license plate (pictured above).

Anyone with information asked to call 9-1-1, or Missoula Crimestoppers at 721-4444, and are encouraged not to approach the suspect.

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