Man Caught Using Forged Checks and a Stolen Vehicle From Great Falls in Missoula

At around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to the Walgreens located on North Reserve Street for a report of a male attempting to make a purchase with a check and identification that did not match the his physical appearance.

When the officer arrived, she made contact with the manager of the Walgreens who informed her that the male, later identified as 41-year-old Brent Giroux, had already left the store. The manager informed the officer that Giroux had attempted to purchase seemingly random items, including high dollar electric toothbrushes and several gift cards for a total of $888.43.

The officer observed what Giroux was wearing from the surveillance video footage. She took a still photo from the video and took it to Target to show the Loss Prevention Officer so he would be aware should Giroux attempt to make a fraudulent purchase.

Ironically, the Loss Prevention Officer indicated that he believed Giroux was currently in the check-out line in Target. The officer approached the individual and confirmed that his clothing and physical appearance was a match for the suspect from Walgreens. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“When they arrived, they made contact with Giroux at a nearby store where he was attempting to use another check and identified himself with a fictitious identity,” Welsh said. “The officer made contact with him and attempted to detain him, but the male attempted to push past the officer and flee. In fact, Giroux did run through the store and made it out the rear exit before being spotted by other officers responding to the area.”

An officer located Giroux in the bushes behind the building across the street from Target. When Giroux observed the officer’s patrol vehicle, he exited the bushes and began to run again. The officer exited her patrol vehicle and yelled at Giroux to stop running, but he continued to run.

“He was eventually tackled to the ground,” Welsh said. “However he continued to fight with officers as he was placed into handcuffs. Mr. Giroux was subsequently associated with a vehicle in the parking lot that was reported stolen out the city of Great Falls recently. He also had possession of other vehicle keys and items that were connected to other crimes in the city of Great Falls.”

Court documents indicate officers also located a firearm in the front driver side door panel which was loaded with two .45 caliber rounds in the magazine and a small baggie of methamphetamine. An officer transported Giroux to St. Patrick’s Hospital for medical clearance, where he ultimately provided his real name and birthdate to officers, prior to being transported to Missoula County Detention Facility.

Giroux appeared in Missoula Justice Court Wednesday afternoon and he was charged with felony theft, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, felony theft of identity, felony forgery, resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer.