Houle admits to attempted gas-station robbery

A Pablo man admitted to brandishing a gun in an effort to steal money from a gas station. Josiah Michael Houle, 39, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court Feb. 14 to felony robbery.

According to charging documents, on Jan. 10, a man later identified as Houle entered the Quicksilver gas station, went behind the counter and brandished a firearm at an employee. The suspect got the register to open by pressing the “no sale” button, and recovered cash before attempting to flee.

However, another patron punched Houle in the face, and the two men got into a brief physical altercation. During the altercation, the firearm fell out of Houle’s waistband and he fled. Employees of the gas station were able to identify Houle by his “unique gait,” as he was a former employee.

The firearm turned out to be a BB gun that had been painted. Law enforcement located Houle later that day and arrested him. He was already wanted on bail jumping charges and failure to appear.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for April 10.