Missoula Police Respond to Vandalism, Find a Fire Hazard

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 22, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was informed by emergency dispatchers that they had received a call from a male who said a female was "busting" out windows and screaming. The caller stated that the female was near abandoned houses located in the alley between South Avenue and Livingston Avenue.

The officer arrived on scene, and the caller waved him down from his balcony by using a flashlight. The caller believed the female was still in the area, but he wasn’t sure. While waiting for other officers to arrive, the officer could smell smoke nearby.

Once other officers were on scene, they started to look for signs of forced entry to any of the buildings. One officer noticed a back door open to one of the buildings. As officers approached that building, the smell of smoke became more prevalent. 

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Officers Ask Firefighters to Respond 

Once officers got to the open door, they could see smoke coming from inside. An officer announced himself loudly multiple times for any person inside of the building to make themselves known, but nobody answered. The officer requested that the fire department respond to the location, as it appeared there was an active fire in the basement.  

Officers decided to enter the building to make sure that nobody was inside who could be passed out and in danger of being seriously injured or killed because of the fire. While clearing the building, officers continued to loudly announce themselves.  

In the basement, the smoke became thick, which made some of the officers cough. A pile of wood that had been set on fire was located. The wood was smoldering with no active flames, but the coals were very hot, which still posed a threat of setting the building on fire. The officers exited and allowed the firefighters inside.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Firefighters Locate the Suspect 

After a short while, a firefighter informed an officer that they had located a female hiding under the stairs, behind a makeshift wall. Officers re-entered the structure and located 43-year-old Tina Wood. As Wood was being brought out of the building, the original caller stated, “That’s her,” to an officer.  

Officers observed broken windows, damage to a rear door, and possible damage from the fire at the property. According to court documents, Wood is not the owner of the property. 

Wood was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. She is currently being charged with felony burglary and criminal mischief. Her bond was set at $50,000. 

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