Man Robs Missoula Gas Station, Resists Arrest

On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2:04 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to a local gas station in the 400 block of South Russell Street for a report of a robbery. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“Missoula 911 received a panic alarm from a local gas station and a 911 call from an employee who reported Richard Berger had made threats, chased the employee around the store, and had taken items from the store,” Arnold said. “Officers located Berger near the reported incident address. Berger refused to comply with the officer who located him. When the officer attempted to place Berger under arrest, Berger resisted arrest.”

The officer immediately pulled Berger onto his side and held him there while he dispatched to other Officers that Berger was resisting arrest.

“Berger was taken into custody,” Arnold said. “There were no injuries to the officer or Berger. After Berger was in custody, additional officers were able to get a detailed statement from the victim and observe evidence of the crimes committed. An officer returned the stolen items from the establishment, which matched what the victim had reported stolen to officers prior to the items being returned. This case is still under investigation with the Missoula Police Department.”

According to court documents, Berger stole several cartons of cigarettes from the gas station and was actively smoking when the officer found him. The victim said Berger threw a lit cigarette in the victim’s face. It was at that point that Berger chased the victim around the store. The victim said he did not know what weapons Berger may have on him and he felt physically threatened for his life. "I was fearful for my life,” the victim said. The victim was concerned Berger would "pull a knife or a gun".

Berger is currently being charged with felony robbery and resisting arrest.

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