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Columbia Falls man charged with crashing into and driving through grocery store

Posted at 5:55 PM, Nov 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-13 20:02:58-05

Alan Roger Connor Jr. of Columbia Falls has been arrested and charged after he reportedly crashed his car into the Super 1 Foods grocery store in Columbia Falls on Thursday.



After crashing through the front doors, Connor drove down an aisle to the back of the store, and then turned around and drove down another aisle. Despite the large amount of damage inside the store, there were no serious injuries reported.

Police said the investigation indicates that Connor’s actions "were not in any way related to a political, social, or terroristic-type attack and this was an isolated incident."

The CFPD said in a news release that after driving through the store, Connor drove away; a short time later, his car - a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina - was found across the highway where it had apparently crashed into a trailer which disabled the vehicle. Connor ran away from that crash. A few minutes later, officers received reports of a naked man running down the hallway of a nearby retirement home. Officers found Connor, who was indeed naked, about one block west of the retirement home.

Connor reportedly showed signs of drug impairment when he was arrested. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and will be transferred to the Flathead County Detention Center when he is medically cleared.

The CFPD also said in the news release:

We would also like to commend the employees of Super One Foods who showed true heroism by ushering customers out of the way of danger, preventing serious injury and potentially saving lives. We would like to recognize the incredible, and instantaneous response of the community of Columbia Falls for assisting with the securing of the building and cleaning of the mess inside the Super One Foods store. This is further proof of what an incredible community we are all blessed with being part of.

Connor, 50 years old, is charged with the following, according to the Columbia Falls Police Department:

  • Attempted Negligent Vehicular Assault
  • Criminal Endangerment
  • Criminal Mischief (3) Felony
  • Aggravated DUI
  • Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
  • Operating a motor vehicle with no proof of insurance
  • Duty to give information or render aid at an accident scene


Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media: