$35,000 Car Gets Stolen Twice in the Same Week in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 4, 2024, a 2022 Toyota Camry vehicle was stolen from a Missoula business when it was parked there overnight. There were no leads and no video. On July 6, 2024, the car was located near Motel 6 on East Broadway and returned to the owners. Police were unable to determine a suspect at that time. The vehicle was damaged and taken to a local autobody shop by the owners.

On July 7, 2024, the vehicle was stolen again from the autobody shop during the night. The autobody shop had a video of the car being stolen. The individual who stole the vehicle appeared to have a key fob that unlocked the vehicle even though the owners had all their keys.  

On July 14, 2024, Missoula Police Department officers located the vehicle on West Kent Street. The windows were covered and it was unclear if it was occupied. Officers gave repeated commands for any occupants to exit and two males exited the vehicle. 31-year-old Christopher Saucedo was in the driver’s seat. Another male was in the passenger seat. 

The passenger was Mirandized and said he got in the vehicle at 4 AM that day near the Johnston Street shelter. He said that Saucedo had been using fentanyl. He said Saucedo had the vehicle for a couple of days, but did not believe the vehicle was Saucedo’s. He said that Saucedo did not work and agreed that it was odd for Saucedo to be in possession of a vehicle valued at approximately $35,000.  

According to court documents, there were multiple suspected fentanyl pills on the passenger seat of the vehicle and paraphernalia. Video from the autobody shop showed clothing that matched the clothing Saucedo was wearing. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Saucedo was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony theft and his bond was set at $10,000. 

The owner later advised officers that the vehicle appeared to have been tampered with to disable tracking of the vehicle and to permit a different key fob to operate the vehicle. 

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