On May 8, 2022, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of trespass at a local business. An employee believed a person named B.K., who had previously been trespassed, had just made a purchase of several items valued at over $1,500.

The person was wearing a wig, dress, hoodie, and medical mask. When police officers arrived, they made contact with the employee and the suspect in the parking lot. An officer also believed the suspect met the general description of B.K. based on past interactions.

The suspect was briefly detained to confirm their identity. The suspect identified themselves as Linden Olson. Officers were able to confirm that this person was in fact Linden Olson and not B.K. who had been trespassed. Olson had not been trespassed from the business and they were released. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story.

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“An employee of the store contacted Missoula police regarding a person trespassing,” Arnold said. “During the initial investigation, officers learned they were out with Linden Olson, who was a different person than who had previously been trespassed. However, the investigation continued as the employee reported when Olson was making the purchases, he was shaking and covering up the name on the credit card.”

An officer went outside to speak with Olson again. The officer asked Olson if they had the credit card used to make the purchase. Olson provided two credit cards that did not have his name on them. According to court documents, one of the credit cards said the person had been a member since the year 2000.

“When officers asked Olson’s name, he initially provided a false name and claimed he was in the process of changing his name to a female’s name,” Arnold said. “Officers were able to observe the credit cards in Olson’s possession were not new and the year issued did not match with the story Olson was telling. During the preliminary investigation, officers were able to contact the person whose name was on the credit card and learned the credit cards had been stolen, as well as the victim’s entire wallet.”

The victim was shocked and concerned that her credit cards had been used by another person. She confirmed they were her cards and that she could not find her wallet. She suspected it was stolen or that she lost it while shopping earlier that day.

Olson was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. Olson is currently being charged with one count of felony deceptive practices.

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

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