Missoula Weekly Crime Report: Man With Sword Scares Churchgoers

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office charged 16 new criminal complaints this week, which is significantly less than last week and closer to the weekly average. On Friday’s Talk Back show, County Attorney Kirsten Pabst provided her report.  

“One of those was an interpersonal violent crime involving a violation of an order of protection, second or subsequent offense, which is a felony,” Pabst said. “There was also an assault with a weapon. In that case, the defendant approached a church with a sword in his hand and a large stick. He attempted to get into the church. Individuals inside, including children, were afraid that he may use the sword.”  

Pabst said there was another assault with a weapon case in which a defendant allegedly swung a metal pipe at a St. Patrick Hospital security officer. 

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“In the endangerment category, we charged four new cases,” Pabst said. “One was a criminal endangerment that involved a defendant firing a bow and arrow in Lions Park that landed in a yard, struck a juvenile in the foot, and nearly missed the head of a child. In another, the defendant was observed driving erratically, running red lights, running folks off the road, and nearly hitting a pedestrian.” 

In addition, Pabst said there were six new property crimes. 

“In one, the defendant broke into an apartment and then a church,” Pabst said. “There were two cases involving stolen cars. In one, the defendant was caught on surveillance shoplifting from multiple retailers in the Missoula area. In one, the defendant and co-defendant allegedly took items from the Equestrian Center and the Peak Fitness Center.” 

Finally, Pabst said her office charged two new meth cases and a fugitive from justice. You can listen to Pabst's full report below.