UPDATE: Kalispell Police Charge Teen for Falsifying Kidnapping Report
Officials say a 38-year-old remains jailed on a probation violation, but they will no longer pursue charges that he tried to “physically pull” a teenage boy into his vehicle in a gas station parking lot
By Beacon Staff
This story was updated with new information from police on May 10 at 3:40 p.m.
Officials with the Kalispell Police Department on May 10 announced they were not pursuing charges against a 38-year-old man arrested earlier in the week on allegations of attempted kidnapping. Although the suspect remains jailed on a probation violation, police say new information in the case revealed the kidnapping charge was unsubstantiated.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old male has been charged with falsifying a police report.
“As a result of this information the charge of attempted kidnapping will not be filed,” according to a Friday afternoon press release from police. “Further, a 16 year-old juvenile male has been charged with filing a false police report. Due to the status of the minor, limited information is being released.”
Kalispell police on Wednesday night arrested 38-year-old Aaron Douglas Kupka who they say attempted to “physically pull” a 16-year-old boy into a vehicle at the Town Pump gas station located at the intersection of Cemetery Road and U.S. Highway 93.
According to a press release from the Kalispell Police Department, the incident began on May 8 at 10:19 p.m. when police were called to a physical disturbance in the gas station parking lot.
“Officers arrived and discovered that the reason for the altercation was due to a man attempting to physically pull a 16-year-old male into his vehicle, after what was described as an attempt to lure the teen,” the press release states.
After speaking with witnesses, officers arrested Kupka and transported him to the Flathead County Detention Center. He is being held on a felony count of kidnapping as well as a probation violation.
According to Flathead County District Court records, Kupka was charged in July 2022 with felony assault with a weapon for a gun-related incident at Midway Tavern in Flathead County. In that incident, Kupka pointed a shotgun at another man and made threats to patrons. In December 2022, Kupka pleaded guilty to a lesser felony offense of criminal endangerment and was given a three-year deferred imposition of sentence.
Kupka was still subject to the conditions of that sentence at the time of Wednesday’s alleged kidnapping attempt.
The case is under investigation and law enforcement has asked anyone who witnessed the incident to call (406) 758-7780 or email [email protected]. The case reference number is #2024-11146.