Originally Posted by Canada.com

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - A fugitive who led law enforcement officers on two separate chases and caused Canadian customs officers to walk off the job was apprehended Thursday night in a city park here. Responding to a tip, officers from four agencies surrounded Michael Murphy, 32, who was hiding in bushes at Kiwanis Park. Flathead County Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Provo said Murphy was unarmed. Earlier Thursday, Canadian customs officers at the Roosville border crossing in southeastern British Columbia walked off the job over an alert that Murphy might be heading to the border, union spokesman Ron Moran said. Moran said a female border officer received word Wednesday night that Murphy might be headed to Canada from Montana. She was told he might be armed and dangerous. The officer stayed on the job for fear of being disciplined, he said. Management responded by telephoning the border guard every 15 minutes, Moran said. "That's how they decided to deal with it. 'I'll call you every 15 minutes to see if you're alive,' " he said. A senior officer came to relieve her Thursday morning, learned of the situation and walked off the job, he said. Management took over and called in the RCMP for backup. The Canada Border Services Agency has said the guards have the legal right to refuse to work if they believe they are in imminent danger. As it stands, border guards are supposed to allow anyone suspected of being armed and dangerous into Canada and then call police. Dan Liebel, local president of the Customs Excise Union, said the situation shows that Canada's border guards need to be armed. The incident began around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, when officers with the Adult Probation and Parole Department, along with Kalispell police, went to Murphy's home in northwest Kalispell to conduct a search. Murphy has been convicted of two counts of forgery, two counts of theft, deceptive practices and bail jumping, according to the Montana Department of Corrections. When he saw the officers approaching, he fled in an SUV, Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner said. Police ended the chase when Murphy reached dangerous speeds. Murphy then called authorities and said he wouldn't be taken alive, Garner said. At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, a Montana Highway Patrol officer spotted Murphy, and another pursuit ensued. Garner said a police officer rolled his patrol car during the chase and suffered minor injuries. That chase ended near Lone Pine State Park, where Murphy abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.