Just before 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, a woman called Missoula Police and reported an ongoing disturbance between her and her ex-husband. According to Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh, the disturbance began approximately five days earlier in North Idaho and continued after they returned to Missoula.

“The woman described that during the course of this ongoing event, she had been strangled twice by this male who had also broke her cell phone while she was attempting to call others,” Welsh said. “At one point on Wednesday, he had actually broken into her house.”

Welsh says officers tried to contact the man early Friday morning in the 2300 block of Mount Avenue.

“He was in the area and attempted to hide,” Welsh said. “Officers located him lying underneath a vehicle parked in the area of her residence. He initially complied with the officers and was taken into custody. When he was being transferred from one vehicle to another, 34-year-old Luke Laplant broke and attempted to run from officers while handcuffed behind his back. An officer quickly caught up to him and tackled him. There was no further incident.”

Mr. Laplant was transported to the Missoula County Jail. He is currently being held for felony escape, felony burglary, felony strangulation, partner assault, criminal mischief and for an outstanding warrant. In June, Laplant was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

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