Violence, DUI and Drugs Dominate Missoula Crime Once Again

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office filed 10 new criminal complaints this week. County Attorney Kirsten Pabst says four of those were violent crimes.

“There were three partner or family member assault cases, a first, a second and a third offense,” Pabst said. “We charged a robbery case that involved a mugging on the California Street Bridge. There were two endangerment crimes, one was a criminal endangerment and one was a felony DUI. In the DUI case, other drivers called in the defendant’s erratic driving.”

Pabst was very appreciative of the folks that called. She says if you see something, say something because you could potentially save a life.

“In the criminal endangerment case, the defendant was also charged with DUI third offense, obstructing and driving while suspended. She was driving the wrong was on Highway 93. Several close calls with other drivers occurred. Her driver’s license was allegedly suspended due to a prior refusal of a breath test.”

Two drug cases were also charged. Pabst says one involved a non-compliant registered sex offender from Billings.

“In that case, the defendant was in possession of methamphetamine,” Pabst said. “In his backpack, he had a .357 revolver and some ammo. In the second drug case, we charged five counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The defendant in that case called in and reported a burglary. When law enforcement responded, they didn’t find burglars, but they did find the defendant in possession of prescription pills, suboxone, cocaine, meth and heroin.”

According to Pabst, they also charged one theft case that included criminal trespass to vehicles. The defendant and a juvenile allegedly broke into some vehicles, took a wallet, used credits cards that were in the wallet and also took a gun.