Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 9, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a home in the 1700 block of Grant Street for a burglary in progress. The homeowner located a woman sleeping in his bed. He reported that she “tore up” and “tossed” his room as if she was looking for something. The woman got up and the homeowner tried to hold onto her, but he has physical impairments.  

The woman ran to the bathroom and the homeowner was afraid she was trying to access a weapon. Officers gave multiple commands and warnings to the woman to exit the bathroom, but she refused. She was warned that a K9 would be deployed and she may be bitten. Officers opened the bathroom door, and the K9 began barking. Then, they were able to handcuff her.  

There was a purse in the bathroom with the woman and an apparent meth pipe was on the floor with burnt residue on it. According to court documents, the woman was identified as 36-year-old Gail Brown and she is well known to Missoula Law Enforcement. At the jail during booking and an inventory search, jail staff located a clear plastic bag with residue of a clear crystal-like substance and three pieces of a glass smoking device with burnt residue in her purse.  

Separate Burglary Incident 

On October 17, 2024, Missoula Police were dispatched to a report of a drunk/drugged transient woman inside an apartment on S. Catlin. The resident of the apartment reported the woman would not leave. When law enforcement arrived the resident said the woman left. She gave a description and explained that she had taken her dog for a walk and left her apartment unlocked. When she returned, her apartment was locked.  

She used her spare key, entered, and found Brown in her bathroom. She said Brown was yelling that she lived there and it took her 10 minutes to convince Brown to leave. When Brown left, she took two pillows and a blanket. The resident also found two lighters and an empty bottle of wine.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Officers found Brown inside a nearby storage unit. On the floor of the storage unit was an apparent meth pipe with dark residue on it. Brown refused to exit the storage unit and yelled at officers. Officers said she was belligerent while being taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, a clear plastic bag with a clear crystalline residue was found in her pocket and a glass meth pipe.  

Brown was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. She is currently being charged with two counts of felony burglary, two counts of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal trespass to property. Her bond was set at $50,000. 

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

LOOK: Counties with the highest unemployment in Montana

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the highest unemployment in Montana using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in November 2023.

Gallery Credit: Stacker