Law roundup: Rifle-toting cyclist causes consternation

A cyclist wearing a military-style helmet, gloves and chest protection with a rifle allegedly slung on his back raised eyebrows near Rose Crossing. Callers told the Kalispell Police Department the man riding the black e-bike on sidewalks, headed west along Rose Crossing. Officers met up with the man, who explained he was checking weight distribution and was headed home.  

Authorities moved along a person in an old Chevrolet van left parked overnight on private property.  

Sick and tired of a pair of guests, a resident called on officers to help show them the door. Officers learned that one of the ill-mannered guests had struck the resident upon being asked to depart. Under the gaze of the authorities, the pair moved along.  

An employee told investigators that items had gone missing from customers' vehicles during a four day stretch earlier in the month.  

Walking into the Police Department, a resident told officers that someone had used his Social Security number to open an account with an electric utility in Kansas. Authorities gave him an identity theft packet.  

The sight of homeless people camping under an awning in a local park concerned a school employee. They told officers they were worried about the homeless being in such close proximity to a school bus stop and asked for extra patrols, particularly around 7:15 a.m. on school days.  

The driver of a beige Hyundai sedan was reported for driving recklessly on West Idaho Street.  

Officers were alerted to the evacuation of an area school after someone reported detecting the odor of gas. Northwestern Energy eventually took over at the scene.  

After a breakup, a woman's ex took all of her belongings out of a storage unit and refused to say where they had put them. The woman told officers she just wanted her blankets back. Authorities deemed it a civil matter unless she was willing to pursue charges.  

A 4-year-old poodle named Pumpkin was allegedly attacked by a dog that ignored its owner's command and charged out of a garage. Pumpkin's owner told officers the poodle had four puncture wounds in her neck and needed veterinary care. Pumpkin's owner was "not interested in court" but wanted her medical bills covered.  

Parks and Recreation employees contacted the police after spotting three people using ropes and ladders to paint a rock.  

Someone alerted the police to the eminent sound of explosions in the area. They said they were about to launch rockets and there likely would be several loud booms.  

A motorist spotted a stray dog.  

An early voter told police that they suffered an unsettling scene unfold while they tried to cast a ballot. A man, who was eventually handled by security, was yelling in the voting area.