Missoula Man Arrested for Vandalizing Pump at Gas Station

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 8th, 2025, at approximately 10:40 AM, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to the Cenex gas station on North Reserve Street. The 911 complainant, an employee, advised that an unknown male destroyed the screen on the gas pumps and requested law enforcement assistance.  

When the officer arrived, they met with the employee, who said he had surveillance video of the incident. The employee advised that the diesel pump in question has a screen that you use to process the purchase, and when damaged, it is approximately $1,700 to replace. He explained that they have been damaged before, and to be repaired, the whole unit must be replaced. He further explained that the screen is not its own piece; it is the whole system attached to the screen itself.  

Then the employee showed the officer the surveillance video of the incident. While the officer was reviewing the video, an employee advised that the suspect was now walking south on Grant Creek Road near the gas station. Another officer, who was also present for the investigation, left the gas station to search for the suspect.  

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Officer Locates the Suspect 

On the 4800 block of Grant Creek Road, an officer observed the suspect walking southbound. The officer parked next to the male and ordered him to stand at the front of his patrol vehicle. The suspect was positively identified as 41-year-old Charles Burland. 

Still on scene, the employee escorted the officer to the pump that was damaged. The officer observed the screen had been scratched to the point that you are unable to read the words on the other side of the scratches. With this being the case, the pump could not be used.  

Then the officer went to the other officer’s location and spoke with Burland. The officer asked Burland about the gas pump, and he advised that he was trying to wipe the words off the gas pump and wanted to clean it. Burland claimed he was using a cotton fob to clean it. The officer told Burland that the screen had deep scratches on it, and when asked about a rock, he explained he also had a rock in his hand.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Burland is Arrested 

The officer told Burland that based on the surveillance and his statement, he was under arrest. Burland was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal mischief. 

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