Just before 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, a Missoula Police Officer was attempting to locate the owner of a vehicle whose trunk was left open at the Broadway Inn. Hotel staff indicated they thought hotel guest, 41-year-old Matthew Jones, might be associated with the vehicle.
The officer recognized Jones’ name, knew he was associated with drug activity, and possibly absconding from probation. Dispatch confirmed that Jones was on probation, and also that he had an outstanding arrest warrant. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.
“The officer contacted his probation officer who authorized the officer to make contact with Jones and take him into custody for his parole violation,” Welsh said. “The officers went to the door, announced themselves, and knocked several times. However, no one would answer. The obtained a key and were able to open the door a couple of inches. However, there was an internal locking mechanism that prevented them from opening the door completely.”