The leader of a burglary ring that targeted vacant seasonal homes in the Flathead Valley and caused nearly $1 million in losses was arrested on Tuesday, authorities say.  

Michael Ray Downing, 46, is being held in the county jail on pending burglary and tampering with a witness or informant charge. His bail is set at $252,235.  

Downing and his crew are suspected in more than 15 burglary cases since October 2024, said officials with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. Previous attempts to nab alleged members of the ring were unsuccessful and, in several instances, turned into dangerous chases, authorities said.  

That changed in April when a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to the arrests of 34-year-old James Ekvall and 35-year-old Ashley Bruns in Haskill Basin.  

The pair were allegedly spotted by Whitefish Police officers in two vehicles recently reported as stolen. The two fled, launching a pursuit that included the Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, and the Columbia Falls and Whitefish police departments. Two Bear Air provided aerial support.   

After abandoning their vehicles and fleeing on foot, Ekvall and Bruns were found hiding near a tree, authorities said.  

Bruns and Ekvall both face felony theft charges in Flathead County District Court and remain in jail with bail set at $100,000 each.  

Downing was picked up on May 6 in connection with a pair of new burglary cases near Whitefish, officials said. Following his arrest, members of the Sheriff's Office and regional SWAT team executed a search warrant on a Mountain Drive home in Hungry Horse that authorities said "represents a significant step forward in dismantling the criminal operation and recovering stolen property." 

“We want to assure the public that we take these crimes very seriously,” said Sheriff Brian Heino in a statement. “This was a coordinated and deliberate effort to protect our communities and hold those responsible accountable.” 

The burglaries remain under investigation and officials said that additional arrests and charges are forthcoming. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 406-758-5610. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].