Bigfork schools on lockdown following casino robbery
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate an armed robbery suspect who is described as a white female with brown hair and is between 5’2”-5’6” in height. She is wearing a black puffy coat, jeans with holes in the front, brown Ugg-style boots and a black beanie with a design.
Bigfork schools were on lockdown Tuesday as the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office looked for a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday morning at the Jackpot Casino in Bigfork.
A female suspect robbed the casino, located at 8083 Montana 35, around 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office said. The suspect is described as a 5’2” to 5’6” female with brown hair, black puffy coat, jeans with holes in front, brown Ugg-type boots and a black beanie hat with a design.
Sheriff Brian Heino said late Tuesday he believes the suspect left in a vehicle and is likely no longer in the Bigfork area.
Bigfork Superintendent of Schools Matt Jensen sent an email to parents Tuesday morning, stating school officials had informed the staff and secured all buildings. Staff were positioned at the locked front doors. While students were free to travel between classrooms within the building, the schools conducted indoor recess and lunch. Students needing to transfer between buildings for classes were escorted by the School Resource Officer. Additional law enforcement on hand for the end of the school day, as students transitioned to the buses and parent pick-up areas.
The School Resource Officer assisted with student pick-up at the end of the day, and Heino said there was some additional law enforcement in the area at that time. The ACES after-school program was still held indoors.
In the aftermath of the robbery, the Sheriff’s Office warned the public not to approach the suspect, and to instead call 911.