Habitual Shoplifter Strikes Again in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 13, 2026, a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to Winco Foods for a report of a shoplifter who was detained by Loss Prevention Staff. Staff advised that the suspect identified himself as 29-year-old Mark Zolnikov.  

The officer arrived on scene, and the Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) said he observed Zolnikov select various merchandise items around the store. Zolnikov then went to one aisle and put the selected merchandise on a shelf. Zolnikov then looked around before removing the merchandise from the shelf and concealing it in his jacket. Zolnikov then exited the store, passing all points of sale without paying.  

Zolnikov was stopped by the LPO and another staff member. The LPO asked Zolnikov if Zolnikov had attempted to purchase the merchandise. Zolnikov responded, “No.” Zolnikov was detained by staff, and the merchandise was recovered. The merchandise totaled $32.91.  

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The LPO provided documentation from Winco’s system showing Zolnikov was trespassed from all Winco properties for 100 years. The notice was dated June 2, 2019, out of Winco in Spokane, Washington. Zolnikov signed the notice, along with two witnesses.  

The officer contacted Zolnikov and provided him with a Miranda warning. Zolnikov admitted he “stole a couple of stuff.” Zolnikov advised that he stole the merchandise because he “didn’t have any money, and [he] didn’t have a job, and [he] didn’t have any income.” Zolnikov admitted he knew he was trespassed from all Winco properties for previously shoplifting. Zolnikov further advised that he stole the green hat he was wearing from Walmart on Brooks Street earlier that day.  

The officer looked up Zolnikov’s local history. Zolnikov has been cited for shoplifting and/or theft five times in the past two months in Missoula. Zolnikov has been trespassed from five businesses in the past month and a half. Law enforcement has been called for numerous other reports on Zolnikov in the past couple of months, which include welfare checks, a person to be removed, disorderly conduct, and one incident where Zolnikov was walking around with a knife being aggressive towards cars and stated he had ideations to hurt innocent civilians.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

According to court documents, Zolnikov currently has three open appearance warrants in Missoula’s Municipal Court. The officer looked at Zolnikov’s other criminal history, which includes two active failure-to-appear warrants out of Washington for weapons charges and prior convictions out of Idaho for numerous thefts, injury to property, possession of a controlled substance, and trespass. 

Zolnikov was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony burglary. His bond was set at $5,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.