Woman Punches Missoula Employees While Attempting to Steal

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 16, 2023, a Missoula Police Department officer responded to Yokes Market on W. Broadway for a report of a possible assault. The initial complainant, an employee of Fresh Market, stated that a female, who was later identified as Linda Bigbeaver, had hit the manager in the face. A second employee contacted dispatch and advised that the female was now swinging and hitting other employees. 

The officer arrived on scene and observed three individuals holding Bigbeaver on the ground. As he exited his patrol car, he heard one person yell that Bigbeaver had a knife. The officer feared for the safety of the employees because a lethal cutting instrument can cause serious bodily injury or death, especially in the hands of a combative subject who had already assaulted multiple people.  

The officer drew his taser and commanded the suspect to drop the knife, or she would be tased. The officer did not see the suspect drop the knife, leading him to "drive stun" the suspect, in the right shoulder, to protect himself and the innocents in the surrounding area. After the officer stunned the suspect, he observed the knife on the ground, which he picked up and tossed several feet away. 

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According to court documents, Bigbeaver resisted when officers attempted to place her into handcuffs. Eventually, an officer was able to gain control of her wrist and placed her under arrest. 

An officer escorted Bigbeaver to his patrol vehicle and he searched her incident to arrest. The officer located a glass smoking pipe in Bigbeaver's front right pocket. This pipe had residue inside of it, and the officer immediately recognized it as the style of pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. The officer also returned the stolen property that Bigbeaver had taken from the store without paying. 

Bigbeaver is currently being charged with felony robbery, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. On July 17, 2023, Bigbeaver made her initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and her bond was set at $2,500. 

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