Man arrested after overnight manhunt

PRIEST RIVER — A Priest River man awaiting sentencing on charges stemming from strange and alarming behavior was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly engaging in additional strange and alarming behavior.

Keith William Rabidue was attempting to break into guests’ rooms at the Eagle’s Nest Motel on U.S. Highway 2 for unknown reasons, according to Priest River Police Sgt. Chris Davis. Rabidue bolted from the scene and the incident prompted the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office to send out a Nixle alert advising of police activity in the area of the motel and recommending that residents stay indoors with the doors and windows secured shortly before 1 a.m.

Rabidue could not be found despite a three-and-a-half-hour manhunt, Davis said. Rabidue was found when a Fifth Street resident called 911 to report an intruder in their home shortly before 5 a.m. Rabidue was apprehended without further incident and charged with unlawful entry, Davis said.

“I believe he was under the influence of something,” said Davis.

Rabidue, 30, was arrested last April for allegedly wrestling a woman to the ground in her East Jefferson Avenue home and disabling her phone. Rabidue allegedly battered a Priest River officer and a sheriff’s deputy before managing to flee. He turned up inside a Sixth Street residence.

Rabidue entered into a plea agreement to resolve some of the charges against him. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.