Hunt on for Bonner County fugitive

SANDPOINT — Law officers are on the lookout for a Bonner County man who escaped from a patrol vehicle while handcuffed on Saturday.

Leland Elroy Dunnagan is considered armed and dangerous. Those who spot him are asked to call 911.

Dunnagan, 56, was arrested on Saturday afternoon for illegal possession of a firearm. He is barred from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction.

At the time of his arrest, Dunnagan was being investigated for burglary.

Dunnagan was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and seated in the rear of an Idaho State Police patrol vehicle.

Trooper Jeff Jayne said he moved toward the front of the vehicle to make a call to a county prosecutor.

Dunnagan was able to quietly open the door and slip into the woods, said Jayne, who is taking responsibility for the escape.

“I had not checked to see if the child-safety lock was activated and, of course, it wasn’t, so he was able to use the door handle from inside. Pretty stupid on my part,” said Jayne.

The incident happened at 12 Wellington Road in the Rapid Lightning area.

Authorities suspect Dunnagan could be in the company of his brother, Allen Lee Dunnagan Sr., 53. They are possibly driving a blue Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle with Idaho plates of 7B-E9576.