Robbery, kidnapping suspect arrested at train depot

A 33-year-old Kalispell man suspected of robbing a pharmacy in Evergreen and kidnapping an employee on Saturday, March 12, was arrested at the Whitefish train depot Sunday night.

Shawn Malarkey was armed when Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Whitefish police arrived at the depot and arrested him at about 9:20 p.m.

Malarkey is the suspect in the armed robbery and kidnapping that took place at Evergreen Pharmacy on Saturday at about 11:30 a.m.

According to police reports, a man wearing a black stocking cap and black clothing and armed with a semi-automatic handgun entered the pharmacy and demanded OxyContin, a trade name for oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opiod.

After the drugs were provided, the man demanded that a pharmacy employee drive him away in the employee’s green 2004 Ford pickup truck.

The employee drove the suspect to the Mormon church on Whitefish Stage Road, where the employee was released and the suspect drove off in the pickup truck.

The vehicle was later found in a ditch at Tronstad Drive and Tronstad Road, where a passerby may have attempted to help the suspect get the pickup truck out of the ditch.

During the subsequent investigation, the sheriff’s office developed a lead on the suspect and information that he might be trying to leave the Flathead. The train depot was evacuated for a time while the arrest took place.

Felony charges against Malarkey are pending.