Montana Bus Employee Thwarts Theft With Pepper Spray

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 30, 2025, at approximately 11:29 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to the area of the Magic Diamond at 1210 West Broadway. The 911 caller stated that he had pepper-sprayed someone at the bus stop because the individual came at him and said he was going to steal a vehicle.  

Upon arriving on scene, the officer observed 39-year-old Damian NoRunner bent over and crying in pain. The officer could detect the spicy smell of pepper spray in the air.  

The officer contacted the 911 caller, who is an employee of Mountain Line. The employee advised that he had responded to the bus stop after drivers told him that there was a large group of people there who were not utilizing the bus service. The employee said he planned on talking to the group, and if they were not going to be using the bus service, he intended to ask them to move. 

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The Employee Said He Did Not Feel Safe 

The employee said NoRunner immediately stepped up in his face, and after asking NoRunner to step back, he failed to do so. The employee said he continued to move backwards because he did not feel safe. He also said NoRunner had his hand in his waistband.  

Then NoRunner stated that he would leave, but began walking towards the employee’s van. NoRunner told the employee that he was going to take the employee’s van, a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The employee reported that NoRunner attempted to grab the door handle of the van. The employee tried to stop NoRunner and eventually utilized pepper spray to stop NoRunner from taking the van.  

The officer reviewed the employee’s body-worn camera footage. In the footage, NoRunner is close to the employee. NoRunner and the employee have a conversation, and then NoRunner walks to the driver’s side of the van. As he does so, he can be heard stating something to the effect of I’m going to take this van.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The employee approaches NoRunner, grabs his arm, and pulls on him. No Runner turns toward the employee who then utilized the pepper spray. NoRunner was released by medics on the scene. Then the officer arrested NoRunner and transported him to the jail.

NoRunner is currently being charged with felony attempted theft of property of a light vehicle. His bond was set at $10,000. 

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