BUTTE – A man suspected in an attack on a Montana Tech student on the Butte campus was arrested near Laramie, Wyo., Wednesday after a chase with speeds that reached 130 mph.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Brandon Curry, 28, faces charges that included eluding, reckless driving, felony interference with a peace officer, felony property damage and drunken driving. It is not clear what charges he faces in Montana.
Butte police identified Curry as a person of interest after a 19-year-old woman reported a man forced her into a Montana Tech library bathroom early Tuesday afternoon, held a knife at her throat and punched her in the face. She was able to escape and Curry fled.
Wyoming officials say they did not know Curry was wanted in Montana when a trooper who was westbound on Interstate 80 spotted his car traveling eastbound at 100 mph. That trooper called another trooper nearby, who was able to pull Curry over. However, after handing the officer his driver’s license and registration, the patrol says Curry put his vehicle in reverse and rammed the front of the trooper’s car.
The patrol says Curry then sped off and crossed the median. The trooper pursued him in a chase that reached speeds of 130 mph. Curry’s vehicle was disabled by spike strips about nine miles later. He lost control of his car and the trooper rammed the side of his car. Curry tried to flee on foot and made it about 75 yards before the trooper chased him down and tackled him.