Shoplifter Caught With Meth at a Walmart in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 26, 2026, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to a shoplifting call at the Walmart on Mullan Road. The 911 caller, a loss prevention officer, said they had the suspect male in custody. The MPD officer arrived and saw the suspect male, later identified as 43-year-old Brian Thompson, in the loss prevention office.

Then the officer spoke with someone from asset protection who said Thompson was observed via surveillance video trying on a pair of work boots. Thompson then placed the sneakers he had worn into the store in the boot box and left the shoe section. Thompson walked past all points of sale without attempting to pay and then tried to leave through the front entrance.

Then the officer spoke with Thompson, who said he was homeless and needed a new pair of boots for the upcoming colder weather. Thompson stated he wasn’t planning on stealing the boots before he came in, but once he saw them, he knew he would need the boots but did not have the funds to pay for them. Thompson went on to say that he wasn’t planning on stealing the necklace that he took; however, it caught his eye as he was walking out of the store. The officer noted that several times during his questioning, Thompson stated it was a stupid mistake to steal the shoes.

Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM

The Cost of Mistakes

The two items totaled $57.38, and Thompson was formally trespassed from Walmart. Thompson was then placed under arrest and was handcuffed. During Thompson’s search incident to arrest, the officer removed two clear plastic bags from Thompson’s person, one of which contained a very small amount of methamphetamine and a torch lighter. Thompson was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility.

At the jail, the officer was informed that jail staff had located another clear plastic bag with a larger amount of methamphetamine from Thompson’s front pants pocket. The detention facility contacted the officer again to state they had found a glass pipe in Thompson’s jacket pocket. The officer recognized the pipe as one used for the ingestion of dangerous drugs.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Thompson is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft. His bond was set at $10,000.

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