Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 20, 2023, at approximately 5:58 p.m., a Missoula Police Department officer responded to the Ogren baseball facility after a burglary alarm was activated in one of the stadium’s locker rooms. The officer arrived and spoke with the stadium manager who said that it is uncommon for the locker room alarms to activate.  

He asked the officer to perform a walk-through to ensure nothing was amiss. The manager informed the officer that few people have access to the ballpark and no one else should be there currently. When they made their way to the locker room, the alarm was still active.  

The officer observed a paperclip, master lock, key, metal hook, and a coffee mug sitting outside the entryway. The manager said that these items typically would not be there, and they do not belong to the stadium. The door to the locker room was locked, so the manager used his key to gain entry. 

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Officer Discovers a Man in the Room

Once inside, the officer observed light coming from an adjacent room. The officer called for backup and remained by the door until another officer arrived. As he was waiting, a male wearing a heavy coat emerged from another adjacent room. The male said, “I just want to go,” and approached the officer. The male identified himself as “Scott” and said that he was “just trying to eat”.  

When the other officer arrived on the scene, the male was placed into handcuffs and advised of his rights. The officer conducted a search of the locker room and located a wrapper from some trail mix that was valued at $4.00. The male admitted the trail mix in the locker room did not belong to him and was there when he arrived. He informed the officers that he entered the locker room looking for food, located some peanuts, and began eating them. 

Suspect Lies About His Name

The male advised that his full name is Scott Huess and provided his date of birth. Dispatch could not find a valid match for that name. When confronted with this fact, the male continued to assert his name was Scott Huess. Dispatch eventually located a jacket file for Chalmus Spinler associated with the date of birth the male provided.  

The officer asked the male directly whether his name was Chalmus, and he said, “No.” Another officer who arrived on scene matched the male with a booking photo of Chalmus Spinler. Finally, the male admitted to being Chalmus Spinler. 

Spinler explained that he crawled under the fence surrounding the outfield of the baseball stadium. He then walked to the locker room and found the door open. He said he entered and consumed the food prior to law enforcement arriving. The officer observed damage to the door’s lock, but Spinler denied causing that. He said the door was already open, so he just walked in. 

Officer Finds Drugs During a Search

The officer walked Spinler to his patrol vehicle and conducted a pat-down search. When asked if he had anything sharp on his person that could stick the officer, Spinler admitted that he had two needles in his coat pocket. The officer removed the needles and a ziplock baggie containing methamphetamine.

Spinler is currently being charged with felony burglary, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and obstructing a peace officer. On March 22, 2023, he made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $25,000.

Spinler currently has three open cases proceeding in Missoula County District Court. On February 2, 2023, Spinler was charged with felony theft for stealing propane tanks and a TV from a Missoula business.

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.

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