Fugitive Cole Bates Apprehended without Incident

UPDATE---- 1/15/21 2:50 p.m.

Missoula County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Jeannette Smith said that the fugitive Cole Bates was apprehended at approximately 2:40 p.m. It is not known where he was apprehended, but the public is no longer in danger.

Bates has been transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.

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Missoula law enforcement agencies are searching for Cole Bates, who escaped from custody from the Missoula County Courthouse after he received a 10 year sentence for assault with a weapon.

Bates is described as a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 165 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen clothed in a black hooded sweatshirt with KING on the front with a crown insignia and also wearing black jeans.

He may still be wearing handcuffs and authorities are considering him to be dangerous.

Law enforcement agencies are currently searching for Bates near the Orange Street Bridge.

Anyone who spots Bates, do not approach him because he is considered dangerous. Please call 9-1-1 immediately.