Missoula Man Chases Down His Stolen Truck, Jumps Inside the Bed

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 7, 2024, at about 5:31 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer received a report that a vehicle was stolen. The complainant stated that a male suspect had just stolen her husband’s 1978 Chevrolet truck that was parked outside their residence. At that time, the complainant’s husband, John Doe, was speaking with the suspect who had stopped further down the road.  

As the officer was responding to the call, he learned that the suspect was now walking toward the Johnson Street Shelter, with Doe following. Upon arrival, Doe pointed out the suspect who was identified as 35-year-old Nikolas Linstedt. Linstedt told another officer on scene that he had been at the Shelter all night and had zero involvement with the stolen vehicle.  

Meanwhile, the officer spoke with Doe who said that he began warming up his Chevy truck, parked directly in front of his residence when he observed the brake lights activate and re-activate. He then saw the headlights turn on. Doe ran outside and chased his truck as it was driven away.  

He eventually managed to jump inside the bed. From there, he opened the driver’s door and attempted to pull Linstedt out of the driver’s seat. Linstedt stopped the vehicle and said something along the lines of, “Sorry” and “I need your help.”  

Linstedt began to walk away after speaking briefly with Doe. Doe drove his truck back to his residence and then followed Linstedt to the Shelter. Doe told the officer that his surveillance cameras captured the incident and he showed the officer the recording. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The officer observed Linstedt walking southbound on Johnson Street, checking the door handles of other vehicles as he went. He then turned onto Kent Avenue and got into Doe’s truck. As Linstedt drove away, Doe ran out of his residence and gave chase. 

Linstedt was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony attempted theft of property of a light vehicle.  

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