Serial Walmart Thief Arrested In Missoula, Caught With Stolen Items

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 14, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of a theft that had just occurred at the Walmart on US Hwy 93 S. An officer was informed that a male had stolen food items and had fled the scene on a red bicycle. The officer located the male in an alley off Kemp Ave. The officer contacted the male and explained that he matched the description of someone who had just committed a crime.  

The male identified himself as 31-year-old Steven Neff. Neff admitted to stealing a couple of packs of steak and a tool from Walmart. Neff said he was staying at the Johnson St. Shelter. The officer learned via dispatch that Neff had been previously trespassed from Walmart on January 11, 2024. The officer also found Neff had been cited for criminal trespass to property and theft on March 17, 2024, from the Mullan Rd. Walmart. According to court documents, Neff has returned to Walmart several times and has been asked to leave, but he refused. 

The officer asked Neff for consent to search his backpack and recover the stolen property. Neff was hesitant but allowed the officer to search the pocket where the food was located. The officer found two packages of steaks, two bags of instant mashed potatoes, and a tool.  

Neff was placed under arrest. The officer conducted a search incident to arrest and located a small zippered bag in Neff’s pocket. Neff denied consent to search his backpack.  Neff was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. The jail declined to take Neff’s backpack and it was taken to the police station for safekeeping.  

The jail conducted an inventory search of Neff’s belongings, including the zippered bag. Jail staff found a syringe inside the bag, which appeared to contain crushed-up methamphetamine. Additionally, jail staff located a small clear baggie with what appeared to be methamphetamine inside. Officer Smith took the suspected methamphetamine back to the police station, where she tested the substance with the TruNarc instrument and it indicated a positive result. The officer conducted an inventory search of Neff’s backpack and found several new syringes and a glass tooter straw.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

In a further review of Neff’s criminal history, the officer found that on April 3, 2024, Neff was charged with two counts of theft, criminal trespass to property, obstructing, and possession of drug paraphernalia, which stemmed from an incident at Walmart. 

Neff is currently being charged with felony burglary and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.  

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