Missoula Man Steals Wallet With Over $3,000 of Cash Inside

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 15, 2026, a Missoula Police Department Officer was investigating a theft reported by John Doe. Doe initially reported to law enforcement that he had lost his wallet in the area of Lowes and Costco and now suspected it of being stolen. Doe stated that there was approximately $3,000 in $100 bills in the wallet from a cash sale of a vehicle. His wallet also contained his bank cards, driver’s license, and Veteran’s Affairs card.  

Doe later discovered that he was on surveillance at Lowe's. Staff had footage of him dropping his wallet and it being picked up by a different person. The officer spoke with Doe and a Lowe's employee on the phone and learned they would upload the footage to the Police Department to find the suspect.  

On September 14, 2026, the officer learned that the suspect’s photo was distributed on social media. The next day, dispatch advised that someone had identified the male as 53-year-old Sherman Crosby. A Probation and Parole Officer positively identified Sherman in the Lowes surveillance video. The PO provided the officer with Crosby’s last known address in Missoula.  

Get our free mobile app

Surveillance Confirmation: The Pursuit of Justice

Officers drove by Crosby’s home and observed two males outside. One of the males appeared to be the other person captured alongside Crosby in the surveillance. Then Crosby was positively identified.  

The officer parked his patrol vehicle and approached the men as they went inside. The officer told Crosby that he wanted to discuss an issue at Lowe's and proceeded to advise him of his rights under Miranda, which Crosby said he understood. The officer explained to Crosby that a man lost his wallet, and camera footage showed both him and the other male at the store at the same time. Crosby denied remembering any specific incident, although he admitted to going to Lowes at some point.  

The officer showed Crosby the still images that were captured from Lowes surveillance. Crosby agreed that it was him in the photo. The officer then explained to Crosby that surveillance captured him picking up the wallet and walking away. Crosby claimed that he thought it was his wallet.  

The officer asked Crosby when he learned that the wallet was not his. Crosby said he was near Panda Express when he realized this and simply “threw it out the window.” When asked about calling the owner or returning the wallet to Lowe's, Crosby explained he was nervous that he might have to talk to the police about it.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Ill-Gotten Gains: The Stolen Cash

The officer then asked Crosby about the money in the wallet, and Crosby claimed that there was only $1000 in the wallet in $100 bills. When asked about where that money was now, Crosby referenced an e-bike in the yard and explained that he purchased it with the stolen money. The officer then placed Crosby under arrest and placed him in a patrol vehicle for transport to the Missoula County Detention Facility.  

During transport, Crosby further stated that he retrieved the money, and then the other male threw the wallet out of the window near the intersection of Expressway and International Drive. Crosby said that he did not see the other male throw it, but that's what he was told. Crosby denied removing any cards from the wallet but did tell the officer that he was "guilty". 

Crosby is currently being charged with felony theft. 

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