Shoplifting Incident in Missoula Lands Man in Jail

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 30th, 2024, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to the Walmart on Mullen Rd. for a report of a male shoplifter. When the officer arrived, she met with an employee and the male shoplifter in the loss prevention office.  

The officer asked the male for his name and he identified himself as Lawson McClain-Bruns. The employee said he observed Lawson conceal gloves on his person, use a bottle of tanning oil on his hair before putting it back on the shelf, and conceal a pack of steaks into his coat but later put them back on a random shelf. Because Lawson concealed the steaks in his coat, the store is not able to sell them.  

Lawson then passed all points of sale without paying for the gloves in his coat, the tanning oil that he used, or the steaks. The officer advised Lawson of his Miranda rights and he stated he understood them. Then the officer asked Lawson if anything the employee said was incorrect, and he said it was not.  

Then the officer asked Lawson if she could search his person for any other merchandise, to which he consented. During the search, the officer located a bandana that Lawson also admitted to stealing from Walmart. The total value for the two concealed items and the two items they now could not sell is $59.05.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

During the search, the officer also located a small baggie of methamphetamine. Lawson was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft. 

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