Man Tries to Steal a PS5 and More From Walmart in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 6, 2023, a Missoula Police Department officer responded to a call of shoplifting at Walmart. The officer made contact with the loss prevention officer who stated that 38-year-old Lovaire Appia had been trespassed from Walmart and was discovered to have stolen approximately $1,200 worth of merchandise that day.  

The loss prevention officer provided the officer with a list of items Appia was trying to steal, total value of $1,258.75. Some of the items Appia tried to steal were a PlayStation 5 game console and a pair of Beats by Dre headphones.  

Appia was observed by Walmart staff not scanning merchandise at self-checkout and was confronted by staff. At that time, Walmart staff scanned the items he missed but Appia refused to pay the total. Appia then proceeded to drive the electric cart past employees and past all points of sale before being stopped by loss prevention officers. The loss prevention officer said Appia wrote “I owe you” on a piece of paper and left it in the electronics department. 

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Officers on the scene also learned that Appia had several other theft cases at the Walmart store in Blackfoot, Idaho. Those thefts totaled over $5,000. Walmart staff provided officers with documentation from that Walmart regarding Appia’s trespass.  

Those documents listed the case numbers for the Blackfoot Police Department. The officer called the Blackfoot Police Department and learned that Appia was formally trespassed from all Walmart stores by officers on August 25, 2023. 

Appia was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony burglary. On September 7, 2023, Appia made her initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and her bond was set at $1,500. 

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