Missoula Man Caught Stealing Nearly $2,000 Worth of Power Tools

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 15, 2026, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to the 2400 block of Leo Avenue for an investigation involving stolen tools. The officer contacted the reporting party, John Doe, via phone, and he stated he had parked the trailer that he uses to store and transport tools near his apartment and secured the trailer with a padlock.  

At approximately 8:00 AM, Doe noticed the padlock to his trailer was missing. Upon opening the trailer, he discovered most of his handheld Milwaukee power tools had been stolen. He reported the tools to be valued at approximately $2,000. He further stated most of the tools should have his last name written on them in Sharpie. 

Another officer was driving around W. Railroad St. and N. Russell Street when she observed a male outside of a camper van with personal items strewn about. The officer contacted the male, identified as 28-year-old Joshua Dyslin. Dyslin stated he was packing up his things to leave. The officer then observed Dyslin pick up a plastic wrapper for hypodermic syringes and then attempted to place the wrapper in his bag.

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Linking the Evidence: Tools Found with an Alleged Thief

The officer ordered Dyslin to stop rummaging around in his things. While speaking with Dyslin, the officer observed a pull-behind bike trailer which was filled with various power tools. Upon closer inspection, the officer observed tools that had the name Doe’s last name written in Sharpie on the tools. The officer asked dispatch whether or not anyone with that last name had reported stolen tools. Dispatch told the officer about the earlier investigation.  

Upon receiving this information, the officer placed Dyslin in handcuffs and waited for another officer to arrive. While waiting, Dyslin stated he had gotten the tools from two individuals at the Poverello Center. Dyslin stated he was given the tools around 6:00 AM and was asked to look after the items.  

The officer went to her patrol vehicle and called Doe. He was able to describe the tools that were located by the officer and also confirmed that all of the tools he knew to be missing had now been recovered. The officer further noted some of the tools had “J.C.” written on them, which he confirmed to be his wife’s initials. The officer inventoried the tools and got value estimations from eBay listings, which totaled $1,738.14.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports 

Dyslin is currently being charged with felony theft, and his bond was set at $25,000.  

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