Man Continues to Steal From a Multitude of Missoula Businesses
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 18, 2023, a Loss Prevention Officer of Cabela’s reported to the Missoula Police Department a shoplifting that had occurred a few days earlier. On September 15, a male, later identified as 28-year-old Kincaid Jensen, was inside Cabela’s, which he had previously been trespassed from on March 23, 2023.
Jensen proceeded to the store optics counter, which has several locking cases with GPS, optics, and knives on display. Video footage depicts Jensen reaching over the counter and using an object to force open the knife case. Jensen is then depicted walking away from the case and waiting in men's clothing.
Jensen makes several approaches, even crawling on the floor, and removing several of the knives from the opened case. Jensen was then depicted hiding the knives in men's clothing and then placing the knives into his pockets. It is believed that Jensen took six knives.
The video next depicts Jensen walking away from the optics counter and making his way to the sunglass area of the store where he is seen taking two pairs of sunglasses and again concealing them in his pockets. Jensen then makes his way to the front of the store bypassing all staffed registers and leaving the store without paying for any of the items he had concealed on his person.
After exiting the store, Jensen is observed walking back into the store retrieving his backpack, and again exiting the store bypassing all staffed registers for the second time. The total value of the items stolen exceeds $1,500.
Another Business is Burglarized
On October 5, 2023, at approximately 11:53 p.m., MPD Officers responded to Big Sky Bikes for a burglary alarm. An officer responded and found the front door to the business had been completely shattered. Officers entered the building and secured it, finding no one inside.
The officer noticed blood near the front door mat. The officer collected swabs of the samples and three shards of glass that also had blood on them. Officer Hoffman met with the business manager who informed the officer that one bike was missing from the rack. The bike was valued at $5,262.16. The manager allowed officers to view the video footage, which showed the suspect throwing a large rock through the front door and exiting with the bike in hand. Officers believed the male to be Jensen.
Officers Locate the Suspect
October 6, 2023, at around 3:40 p.m., an officer observed who he believed to be Jensen riding the stolen bike, leaving the area of the Poverello Center. Another officer pursued the male and activated his emergency lights. The male immediately turned west into an alley just north of Cooper Street.
The officer observed the male hop over a fence and run through a yard. Officers attempted to form a perimeter, however, the male had broken through the perimeter before it could be completely set. Officers returned to the yard and were able to locate a backpack left abandoned by the male. An officer inventoried the backpack and immediately located a piece of paper with the name of Kincaid Jensen. Additionally, the officer returned to the alley and was able to locate the stolen bike as described above.
The officer spoke with a detective who said Jensen has two other active cases for burglarizing Firefly Dispensary, as well as the above case from Cabela’s. The officer also found another incident that occurred earlier in the day on October 4, 2023, at the Good Food Store. In that case, Jensen was recognized for shoplifting from the store.
Officers Finally Catch the Suspect
On October 7, 2023, at around 12:35 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the Johnson Street Emergency Shelter for a report of a male suspect who had just left on foot. An officer approached the male and immediately recognized him as Jensen. The officer placed Jensen under arrest for Burglary and transported him to the Missoula County Detention Facility.
Jensen is currently being charged with two counts of felony burglary and obstructing a peace officer. On October 11, 2023, Jensen made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $75,000.
An additional review of Jensen’s records indicates that he has been permanently trespassed from the following locations within Missoula County by law enforcement:
- Scheels
- All Walmart locations
- All Ace Hardware locations
- All Town Pump properties in Missoula County including Lucky Lil’s, Montana Lil’s, and the gas stations
- Blessed Beginnings
- RP Ellis Fine Jewelry
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change
- Red Lion Motel
- Fairbridge Inn
- Orchard Homes Trailer Court
- Cottage Court Apartments
- Palace Apartments
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.
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