Missoula Man Shoulder Checks Police Officer During His Arrest
On March 29, 2022, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to an area in the 2000 block of 34th Street for a report of disturbance. The officer was informed by dispatch that a male had confronted the 911 caller with a knife before leaving the area. The officer arrived on the scene and spoke with the caller. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story.
“The victim reported to officers he was outside his apartment working when a vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed towards him,” Arnold said. “The male driver, Charles Grabert, was honking the horn and yelling. The victim did not know Grabert, but heard Grabert and an unknown female from another apartment yelling. Grabert then once again turned his attention toward the victim and was yelling at him.”
The victim raised his arms at Grabert questioning why Grabert was driving so erratically through the neighborhood. Grabert parked, exited the vehicle, and again began yelling at the victim.
“Grabert pulled out a small folding knife, flipped the blade out, and was making comments about fighting toward the victim,” Arnold said. “The victim tried to walk away to call 911, but also felt like they were going to have to fight Grabert since Grabert was still approaching on foot. The victim told Grabert to put the knife down and fight. No physical contact was made between Grabert and the victim. Eventually, Grabert went back to his vehicle and drove off.”
The caller provided the officer photos of Grabert and the vehicle he was driving. The officer ran the license plate of Grabert’s vehicle and found a nearby address on the registration. Officers went to the address and located Grabert.
“Officers placed Grabert under arrest and placed him into handcuffs,” Arnold said. “As officers were escorting Grabert to the patrol car, Grabert shoulder checked an officer very hard and attempted to escape police custody. Grabert told officers he had intention to run.”
Grabert was placed in a WRAP restraint and successfully detained in a patrol vehicle. During the incident, Grabert admitted to officers that he was trying to run and escape custody. Grabert was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Center without issue.
During the investigation, officers located two knives on Grabert. Grabert is currently being charged with assault with a weapon, assault on a peace officer, and escape. All three of those are felony offenses.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.