Man jailed after alleged Costco robbery

An Evergreen man is facing a felony robbery charge after police say he and a companion stole items from Costco and nearly ran over a store employee who tried to stop them.

Jeremy Jason Hawks, 31, was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center March 25 on a felony robbery charge. The woman who was with him has not been charged.

Hawks is also facing a felony count for possession of dangerous drugs after a traffic stop allegedly turned up methamphetamine in one of his socks. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to theft.

According to the criminal complaint, Kalispell Police Department officers responded to Costco at about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, after receiving reports two people removed items from the store and left through a side door.

The man, identified as Hawks, and the woman allegedly placed the items in a green Mazda. Store employees reported the man began to drive away but another employee pushed a cart in front of the Mazda.

Witnesses said they heard the woman yell at Hawks to run over the employee.

Hawks allegedly accelerated, struck the cart and force the employee to jump out of the way.

Officers learned one of the witnesses took photos of the suspects. Police learned the man was Hawks. The next day, officers went to a residence where they believed the two people lived. They saw a green Mazda from the robbery and Hawks.

According to the complaint, Hawks agreed to go to the station where he allegedly admitted to being the driver and the woman told him to run over the employee. He also said they had already pawned or sold several of the items.

Hawks faces a sentence of two to 40 years in the Montana State Prison. He is being held on $100,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, April 9.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.