Missoula Man Threatens Police With a Gun After CFS Took His Children

On April 27, 2022, 41-year-old Alen Roach was arrested for obstructing a peace officer. He arrived at a local elementary school while highly intoxicated and made a scene trying to pull his children off the school bus. Child Family Services took temporary custody of the three children and Roach was taken to jail. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“Roach was taken to the court on the charges and released on his own recognizance,” Arnold said. “Roach did not leave, but instead stayed at the police station where he inquired about the whereabouts of his children. Roach was informed they were temporarily being cared for by CFS. During contact with officers, Roach displayed indicators of intoxication, was agitated over his children being removed from his custody, and had referred to his guns.”

Later that day, at approximately 5:39 p.m., CFS requested assistance from law enforcement because all three of the children fled the CFS facility without permission. Law enforcement attempted to help locate the children.

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“Officers went to Roach’s residence,” Arnold said. “As they approached, they observed Roach’s front door was partially open. Officers then observed Roach in the doorway holding a semi-automatic rifle, similar in design to an AR-15. Officer quickly retreated, took cover for their safety, and requested additional units.”

According to court documents, an officer observed Roach brandishing the rifle and believed a gun fight was about to take place.

“Officers lost sight of Roach, but Roach walked toward the area where officers were taking cover, still brandishing the rifle,” Arnold said. “Officers gave Roach commands. Roach complied, put down the weapon, and was taken into custody. After Roach was taken into custody, officers continued their investigation and learned additional details about what took place after the children left CFS, and some of Roach’s comments he had made to his children and CFS employees. This case is still under investigation with Missoula Police Department detectives.”

Right after the children escaped, CFS called Roach and he refused to tell them where his children had gone. CFS explained to Roach that they currently had legal custody of the children and that they had been temporarily removed from his care. Roach told CFS that they could not take his kids and good luck trying.

Officers learned that after the children fled the CFS facility, Roach picked them up at a local business with a friend. Officers soon located the children in a nearby trailer. The owner of the trailer informed the officer that Roach said he was afraid CFS was going to take his kids away from him, so he needed to go home to get his guns.

The officer then spoke with the children. One of the children said, “He said if they tried to take us, he would shoot all of them.”

Roach is currently being charged with two counts of felony assault on a peace officer and one count of felony attempted intimidation.

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