Missoula Package Thief Caught With a Stolen Bike and Meth

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 28, 2024, Missoula Police Department officers were patrolling Reserve St. when they observed a male on a bicycle heading east on South Ave. An officer recognized the male and the bicycle from an email that had been previously sent by another officer. The email was in regards to a male stealing an Amazon package and riding a stolen bicycle.  

The male on the bicycle noticed the patrol vehicle and he attempted to hide at the bus stop. When the officer passed the male, he turned around and started riding west through a parking lot. The officer turned into the parking lot. The male looked behind himself at the patrol car and then began to pedal faster.  

The officer exited the lot and turned on her overhead lights. The male continued to ride away, traveling south on Reserve Street. The officer initiated her sirens and the male slowed down. Officers asked the male to sit down on the grass. The male was identified as 37-year-old Mathew Moulton. 

Moulton said he got the bike from his friend who stole it. Moulton did not know where his friend had gotten the bike from. When asked why his friend would give him the bike, Moulton stated he stole the bike from his friend. The officer noted that the bicycle’s value exceeds $1,500.  

The officer saw that Moulton was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and tan boots. The officer showed Moulton a picture from the email that was sent. He asked Moulton if that was him riding the same bike, with the same boots, same jeans, same jacket, and a backpack. Moulton stated it was not him, however, all the officers on scene recognized the male in the photo to be Moulton.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

According to court documents, Moulton was then found to have a warrant for his arrest. Moulton was placed under arrest and officers conducted a search incident to arrest. They removed three straws with burnt residue, a needle, and a bag of a white crystalized substance. 

The officer knows from her training and experience that straws are used to smoke fentanyl and needles are used to inject drugs intravenously. The officer further recognized the white crystal substance to be methamphetamine, which was confirmed using the TruNarc. 

Moulton is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, felony theft, and felony shoplifting. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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