Update – Wednesday Night Armed Robbery Was Drug Deal Gone Bad [AUDIO]

UPDATE - Thursday, October 10, 12:30 p.m.

Missoula police were called to what was described as an armed robbery on South 4th East and Gerald on Wednesday, October 9 at 7:22 p.m.

Further investigation by police detectives have determined that the incident involved individuals involved in what may have been a drug deal gone bad. Detective Sergeant Travis Welsh said the alleged victim and his attackers may have been familiar with each other before the incident.

"It appears that there had been some possible communication between these parties prior to the meet," Welsh said. "The conversation had centered around the possible sale of narcotics. When the alleged victim of this robbery arrived , he was accosted by a male he had been communicating with, accompanied by another male who allegedly pointed the weapon. The two then took the narcotics from the alleged victim and fled the area,"

Welsh said a similar incident occurred in Greenough Park a few days earlier that may have involved two men with similar descriptions.

"At this point we are comparing this incident with another that was reported earlier in the week in which we have two suspects that at least appear at this point to match the descriptions of the individuals reported last night," Welsh said. "In that situation, no narcotics were stolen. The victim was assaulted and allowed to leave the area."

Welsh said no charges will be filed in either incident until the investigations are complete.

Detective Sergeant Travis Welsh

Missoula police responded to an armed robbery on Wednesday, October 9 at approximately 7:22 p.m. at the corner of South 4th East and Gerald.

Sergeant Jerry Odlin said a man walking alone was accosted by two other men.

"A Missoula male was attacked by two other men, but was not injured," Odlin said. "He was knocked to the ground by one of them and threatened with a weapon, and they demanded all the items he had with him."

Odlin provided a description of the two male suspects.

"One was a white male adult, about 18 years old, standing between five feet 10 inches and five feet 11 inches tall with light brown hair and wearing black skater-style denim pants and a blue denim sweatshirt. The second suspect is an African-American male, approximately five foot eight inches tall with short, curly dark hair. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with no hood and black jeans."

Odlin said the two suspects may also have been involved in another armed robbery.

"The case is currently under investigations by our detective division, and anyone with information about this, or the previous robbery that occurred in Greenough Park, is asked to call the Missoula Police Department at 552-6300 or Missoula Crimestoppers at 721-44-44."

Sergeant Jerry Odlin