Hungry Horse man charged with armed robbery

An odd incident at a ranch and home supply store landed a Hungry Horse man in the county jail.

Johnathan James Peterson, 27, was lodged in the Flathead County Detention Center on a felony charge of robbery April 10 after an alleged encounter between him and store employees.

Peterson faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in the Montana State Prison. His arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6.

According to the charging document, Peterson was arrested inside a grocery store near the home supply business after he tried to steal several items during a special promotion the store was having.

Peterson allegedly left the store with the items, the alarm went off and a store employee told him to “put the bucket down and go with him to the manager’s office.” The employee later told a Kalispell police officer that Peterson said he wouldn’t come with him and then brandished a knife.

The employee said Peterson commented, “I will stab you, I don’t care.”

Two years ago, Peterson was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after a traffic stop by police in Columbia Falls. He received a 2-year deferred sentence.

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