MI man in MT chase used stolen car

BILLINGS, Mont. (WOOD) - Police confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 that a car involved in a high-speed police chase in Montana was stolen in West Michigan.

Nathanial Purdy of Cedar Springs faces several charges following the incident that reached speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent said someone stole the 2002 silver Pontiac Grand Prix on Jan. 2 from the Admiral gas station at 194 S. Main St. in the city.

Chief Parent said the car owner's daughter went inside the business and left the car engine on. She came outside and the vehicle was gone. Chief Parent said another female stole the car.

Police don't know how Purdy got the car, or if he knew the woman who stole it, but he and the car eventually ended up in Montana.

KULR in Billings, Mont. reported a theft of gasoline at a station on Jan. 4, and the suspect was driving a stolen car. Police spotted the vehicle and the high-speed chase ensued on Interstate 90 between Park City and Columbus.

Officers tried to use spike strips to stop Purdy's vehicle but he kept driving and crashed near Columbus, KULR reports. Police say he tried to run away but was quickly arrested.

Purdy faces charges of assault on a police officer, possession of marijuana, theft, fleeing and eluding, and felony criminal endangerment. He remains in a Billings jail.

He spent time in a Michigan prison for five-and-a-half years for assault with a dangerous weapon and a drug charge. He was released in November 2011.

Chief Parent says Purdy probably won't help with investigators in regards to finding the woman who stole the car. Police don't know why he was in Montana.