Missoula Man Allegedly Broke Into His Girlfriend’s Home and Assaulted Her

At about 6:15 Wednesday morning, 911 received a call from a citizen that said a female was running from a male in traffic near the intersection of Russell and Mount. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh says officers arrived at the location and made contact with the female, but the male had already left the scene in his vehicle.

“The officers learned that the female had been in an ongoing disturbance with her soon to be ex-boyfriend and that she had jumped out of the moving car to get away from him during an ongoing argument,” Welsh said. “He had broken into her home earlier in the morning and had assaulted her there.”

The female victim reported that she was struck in the head and upper body. Welsh says she was experiencing some pain, but she did not feel that she needed to go to the hospital.

“The officers accompanied the female to her residence where they observed evidence of the break-in and ensured that the residence was empty to help ensure that she would be safe,” Welsh said. “A short time later, at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers received calls from citizens that reported that the male had returned to the residence.”

According to Welsh, the officers were on their way back up to the residence when they passed the suspect traveling the opposite direction. They quickly turned around and initiated a traffic stop. He was taken into custody and is identified as 41-year-old Jesse Caton. Caton is currently being held for felony aggravated burglary, partner assault, and criminal trespass to property.