Missoula Police Department officers responded to a Target store on Palmer Street on October 31, 2026 after a 911 call reported a man brandishing a knife when employees tried to stop him for trespassing.
Suspect identified and detained
The caller described the suspect as a Native American man wearing a brown Wrangler jacket and carrying a white backpack. Within six minutes, officers located 36‑year‑old Colton Mountainsheep near a bus stop on Palmer Street. He matched the description and admitted to having a pocketknife.
During questioning, Mountainsheep first said he was unsure whether he had shown the knife to anyone. He later clarified that he likely pulled the knife out in front of an employee but never pointed it at anyone, saying he did so to discourage staff from stopping him from taking alcohol.
Theft details
Mountainsheep confessed to taking a case of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and several pairs of sweatpants from the store. Officers also recovered a pair of Disney Stitch ears, still in their packaging, from his backpack.
Target employees testified that they saw Mountainsheep remove merchandise and attempt to leave without paying. One employee said she confronted him and tried to issue a trespass warning when he produced the knife and held it at his side. Another employee reported that the blade was exposed and she stepped back, uncertain of his intentions.
Evidence and charges
Security footage captured Mountainsheep wearing a jacket taken from a store shelf and walking past the checkout area. Employees estimated the value of the items he left the store with at $110.98, with additional recovered items valued at $149.99.
Mountainsheep was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He faces a felony robbery charge, and a bond of $25,000 was set.
Community impact
While the incident was isolated, it underscores the importance of vigilance by both store staff and law‑enforcement in protecting Missoula’s retail environments. The Missoula Police Department encourages anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to report it promptly.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and will pursue appropriate legal action to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law in Missoula.
Original reporting: NewsTalk KGVO 1290 (Townsquare) — read the source article.
