Missoula Sees Spike In Felony Cases This Week

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Attorney’s Office filed 26 new felony complaints this week, which is 12 more than last week and higher than the weekly average. According to Chief Deputy County Attorney Mac Bloom this was their second busiest week of the year. 

“12 of those were violent crimes against persons, four of them were endangerment crimes, three property crimes, sic drug crimes, and then one administrative crime,” Bloom said. “Of those 12 violent crimes, three of them were family violence, two of them were non-family violence, six of them were sexual crimes, and then we had one animal abuse case.” 

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Bloom said they have also been busy with trials. 

“Our County Attorney, Matt Jennings, was in a three-day trial this week and then we have a week-long trial starting this coming Wednesday and then a two week-long homicide starting on September 9th,” Bloom said. “People are really busy around here but we're glad that we're going to have a nice weekend.” 

Bloom also mentioned that they have been seeing a lot of repeat burglary cases involving businesses.  

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“A lot of those cases where someone is trespassed from a business like Walmart and then goes back and commits a theft, do you end up getting charged with burglary if the person has done it multiple times and they continue to victimize these businesses repeatedly and the misdemeanor system hasn't worked,” Bloom said. “We certainly would never want to overcharge somebody, but if people have been charged with petty theft over and over and over again and continue to victimize the same business, finally, it gets to the point where we have to do something else.” 

Bloom wanted to let folks know that they are making an effort to keep the community safe and put a stop to repeated crime where other interventions have not worked. 

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office provides a weekly crime report every Friday morning at 9:00 on Talk Back.