Missoula Weekly Crime Report: A ‘Really Busy Start’ to 2023

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Attorney’s Office charged 18 new criminal complaints this week, which is starting to become the new average. According to County Attorney Kirsten Pabst, most of the cases this week involved intimate partner violence.  

“In one case, the person was charged with assault on a peace officer,” Pabst said. “The vehicle that she was in hit another car and she allegedly fled. She then assaulted a peace officer who located her. She allegedly threatened that law enforcement officer with a weapon as well. In another case, the defendant was charged with aggravated burglary for threatening his neighbors with a gun while in front of children.” 

In addition, Pabst said there was a criminal endangerment and theft case. 

“In that case, the defendant allegedly hopped in a car that did not belong to him that was parked at a grocery store and drove off with a victim still inside of it,” Pabst said. “In another case, the defendant was charged with criminal mischief and drugs after allegedly stealing items from a local retail store and then trying to dispose of them in the restroom upon being discovered.”  

In another case, Pabst said her office charged one individual with burglary.  

“In that case, the defendant was fired from a local restaurant and allegedly broke in at night and stole money from that restaurant on more than one occasion,” Pabst said. “We also charged a handful of new drug cases, including more Fentanyl possession cases. It was a really busy week and a really busy start to the new year.” 

Pabst provides her weekly report every Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. during KGVO’s Talk Back show. You can listen to her full report below.