Sheriff's Office Blotter
The law roundup is compiled from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office incident log. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive account.
Feb. 4
12:17 a.m.
Public safety
Libby police officers responded to the corner of 1st Street and Mineral Avenue for a reporting of a pickup truck and sedan racing.
1:24 a.m.
Motor vehicle theft
Libby police officers recovered a vehicle reported as stolen. It was parked near Airth Avenue.
1:28 a.m.
Motor vehicle theft
An intoxicated woman told Libby police officers that her vehicle was stolen out of her driveway. When authorities asked her for her address, she cursed and hung up the phone.
1:32 p.m.
Public safety
Libby police officers got a tip that a motorist with a suspended driver’s license was out running errands.
4:34 p.m.
Disturbance
Libby police officers investigated a noise complaint.
5:12 p.m.
Public assistance
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a 15-year-old who left home after an argument. The teen’s mother was following him in her vehicle. The juvenile eventually returned home.
5:22 p.m.
Missing person
A U.S. Highway 2 resident told authorities that their 13-year-old daughter had not returned home from school. The teen headed to the classroom on foot that day. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the juvenile.
5:29 p.m.
Animal complaint
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a report of a dog left inside of an Airstrip Road home for the entirety of the day. The dog was howling. The homeowners later returned and retrieved the animal.
5:46 p.m.
Disturbance
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies headed to gas station on U.S. Highway 2 for a report of a couple arguing and chasing one another around a truck parked on the side of the road.
5:58 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
A Nevada Avenue resident found a vehicle in their driveway. They were unable to locate its owner. The resident later made contact with the vehicle owner.
8:15 p.m.
Disturbance
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a couple’s argument on Therriault Creek Road. The individuals involved agreed to separate for the evening.
10:35 p.m.
Libby police officers responded to a report of a motorist stranded after their vehicle ran out of gas.
Feb. 5
12:09 a.m.
Fire
Libby Volunteer Fire Department crews responded to the Lewis Loop area for a report of a possible chimney fire.
1:32 a.m.
Disturbance
Libby police officers arrested Vernon Watters on a partner or family member assault charge after responding to a disturbance call on Utah Avenue.
3:09 a.m.
Animal complaint
A Three Corners Road resident reported a barking dog.
12:36 p.m.
Animal complaint
A Dakota Avenue resident reported suffering a cat bite, but refused treatment.
3 p.m.
Sex crime
A caller asked to speak with law enforcement of behalf of their client, who was alleging sexual abuse had occurred 17 years earlier.
4:49 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle left near Halo Drive for the past two months.
8:23 p.m.
Suspicious activity
A Fortine resident reported hearing someone rattling the door knobs of the Fortine School and asked for law enforcement to secure the building.
9:24 p.m.
Harassment, threat, intimidation
A Bethel Drive resident told dispatchers in Troy that a woman came onto his property and engaged in emotional abuse. She was trying to persuade the man to drop charges. The man wanted to speak with law enforcement personnel.
9:47 p.m.
Public assistance
Libby police officers headed to Montana Avenue for a report of an intoxicated man
Feb. 6
12:09 a.m.
Suspicious activity
A vehicle was spotted doing brodies in the parking lot of a big box retailer.
9:38 a.m.
Fire
Firefighters in Troy responded to a structure fire near Flat Iron Trail.
1:06 p.m.
Theft
A caller reported a shoplifter at a local supermarket.
9:12 p.m.
Disturbance
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance on U.S. Highway 2 after a 911 caller reported that a man threatened her shortly before her vehicle was stolen.
9:44 p.m.
Hazmat, environmental
A Pioneer Road resident told authorities that it smelled like someone was cooking methamphetamine near her home. Authorities deemed it an electrical issue.
Feb. 7
7:14 a.m.
Disturbance
A Vicks Drive resident told authorities that his neighbor chops wood throughout the night.
10:10 a.m.
Public assistance
A resident asked to speak with law enforcement regarding her daughter, who struggled with a drug addiction while pregnant.
12:57 p.m.
Animal complaint
A Vicks Drive resident told authorities that the neighbor’s dog defecates on her lawn.
1:31 p.m.
Animal complaint
A North Kootenai Drive resident told authorities that a neighbor’s dog occassionally came into their yard. The dog seemed aggressive.
9:39 p.m.
Disturbance
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Spencer Road after a woman called to report a man outside her home damaging her vehicle. Responding deputies deemed the disturbance verbal only and separated the individuals. The man spent the night at a local hotel.
10:54 p.m.
Animal complaint
A Dakota Avenue resident reported a dog barking for more than three hours.
Feb. 8
7:40 a.m.
Traffic accident
Authorities responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident near a local coffee shop.
9:29 a.m.
Theft
A Dakota Avenue resident reported the theft of pain medication sometime during the night. The pills were later found in the garbage.
1:43 p.m.
Animal complaint
A West Balsam Street resident reported seeing two dogs loose in the neighborhood.
2:46 p.m.
Child abuse
Libby police officers investigated a child abuse case.
8:50 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
Libby police officers warned a motorist for parking in Riverfront Park after dark.
9:08 p.m.
Public safety
A Parmenter Drive resident asked to file another complaint form regarding a motorist speeding in a residential neighborhood.
11:13 p.m.
Suspicious activity
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies headed to U.S. Highway 93 for a report of loud noises outside of a resident’s home. The resident feared an individual was breaking into the home.
Feb. 9
8:48 a.m.
Drugs, drug paraphernalia
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies handled a drug investigation.
8:53 a.m.
Suspicious person
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies headed to Vicks Lane for a report of squatters living in a homeowner’s shed.
12:36 p.m.
Suspicious activity
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies checked on a vacant U.S. Highway 2 home after an individual reported hearing water running inside the house. Deputies found the home secure.
1:09 p.m.
Burglary
A caller told authorities that she had received word that her property had been burglarized. Responding Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the property secure.
2:49 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
Authorities investigated a report of a man in a suspicious van hanging out in a Farm to Market Road neighborhood.
4:55 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle report near Three Corners Road.
Feb. 11
4:33 a.m.
Traffic accident
First responders headed to mile marker 44 of U.S. Highway 2 for a report of a traffic accident.
10:30 a.m.
Public assistance
An inmate at the Lincoln County Detention Center asked to speak with law enforcement regarding multiple complaints.
1:11 p.m.
Theft
Libby police officers investigated a shoplifting case at a local store.
1:37 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
A Millwood Loop Road resident reported a suspicious camper left on private property. Libby police officers told the resident that they could have the camper towed.
3:44 p.m.
Civil complaint
A Dakota Avenue man reported the theft of his vehicle. He told Libby police officers that his ex-partner was using it and refused to return the vehicle.
Feb. 12
12:52 a.m.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance at a local lodging house.
9:19 a.m.
Traffic accident
Libby police officers cited a motorist for operating a motor vehicle without insurance after responding to a traffic accident near the county courthouse.
4:32 p.m.
Harassment, threat, intimidation
A Commerce Way resident asked to speak with Libby police officers regarding threats made by an ex-partner.
7:46 p.m.
Disturbance
Libby police officers headed to East Cedar Street for a report of man screaming and “raging” in an apartment, disturbing his neighbors. Responding officers discovered that the man was playing video games with his headphones on.
7:49 p.m.
Motor vehicle theft
A Bellevue Trailer Court resident reported the unauthorized use of a vehicle. They told authorities that the driver lacked a license.
8:59 p.m.
Suspicious activity
A resident near the golf course reported hearing either fireworks or gunshots. Responding Libby police officers determined fireworks caused the noise.
9:20 p.m.
Traffic stop
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Tyler Tangen on driving under the influence charges after a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 2.
9:42 p.m.
Civil complaint
An individual told authorities that his son had left a four-wheeler on a local property. The property owner has refused to return the vehicle. The individual declined to give any personal information to authorities, telling them only that he lived out of state.
Feb. 13
Public safety
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies headed to Kootenai River Road for a report of individuals hanging out the windows of a vehicle with beers in their hands.
3:21 p.m.
Theft
A caller told authorities that an individual stole her brother’s mobile phone while he ate lunch at a local fast food joint.
5:40 p.m.
Animal complaint
Authorities received a report of a yellow Labrador retriever chasing deer near Parkway Drive.
8:40 p.m.
Disturbance
A Park Street resident reported loud music emanating from a neighbor’s home. The neighbor later agreed to turn down the music.
10:07 p.m.
A West 3rd Street resident told authorities that their neighbors were making a lot of noise. They also seemed confrontational.
11:02 p.m.
Suspicious vehicle
A motorist agreed to move on after Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle report at J. Neils Memorial Park.
11:06 p.m.
Suspicious activity
A Spencer Hill Avenue resident told authorities they spotted individuals walking around vehicles with flashlights.
Feb. 14
12:13 a.m.
Disturbance
A Lake Creek Road resident told authorities that neighbors were either lighting pyrotechnics or shooting firearms. Responding Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies determined it was fireworks.
9:11 a.m.
Theft
Libby police officers responded to a report of a woman stealing items off the loading dock of a local business.
1:10 p.m.
Harassment, threat, intimidation
A woman asked to speak with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies regarding harassment and threats she received at the hands of relatives.
4:44 p.m.
City ordinance violation
Libby police officers cited a motorist for improper parking near the intersection of 6th Street and Mineral Avenue.
6:40 p.m.
Civil complaint
A Woodland Heights resident asked to speak with law enforcement personnel regarding an individual living in a camper on her property.
8:19 p.m.
Suspicious person
A Bull Lake Road resident told authorities that neighbors alerted her to the presence of people with flashlights on her property. The woman was out-of-town at the time. Authorities later learned that the individuals were new neighbors.
Feb. 15
1:49 p.m.
Traffic accident
A caller reported getting run off the road by a motorist in a Dodge Dakota.
2:31 p.m.
Disturbance
A 911 caller told authorities a man was trying to break the windows of her Woodland Heights home.
3:28 p.m.
Sex crime
An individual with third-hand information regarding a sexual abuse case contacted authorities.
9:22 p.m.
Assault
Staff at the Lincoln County Detention Center reported an assault.