Man Caught in a Stolen Car Refuses to Talk to Missoula Police

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 23, 2023, at approximately 10:13 a.m., a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to a phone call request regarding a stolen vehicle. The officer contacted the caller who stated that he owns a gold 2004 Honda Accord.  

He said the vehicle was last seen parked outside of his residence in the 900 block of Cleveland Street. The caller added that the vehicle's locks did not work and that he had left the keys inside. The estimated value of the vehicle was approximately $3,623.  

On January 2, 2024, at approximately 5:13 p.m., an officer was stopped in traffic at the intersection of West Broadway Street and Russell Street when they observed the stolen vehicle. The officer observed the vehicle turn onto Cooper Street and then do a loop around the McDonald’s before pulling into the parking lot. The officer eventually pulled in behind the vehicle and the two individuals, one male and one female, exited.  

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The officer pursued the individuals on foot and caught up to them behind the McDonald’s. The female suspect said she had been in the vehicle but was just a passenger. The officer then asked the male, later identified as 37-year-old Ian Mackenzie, if he had been driving and he said he was not. 

The officer read the female her Miranda Rights and she stated she understood. She stated that she assumed the car was Mackenzie’s because he had picked her up earlier that day from her house in Lolo. She said she was not aware that the car was stolen but that Mackenzie had told her that he had “bought a new car”. The officer then pulled Mackenzie aside to interview him independently, but he invoked his right to remain silent and stated he no longer wished to speak with law enforcement. 

Upon contact with the registered owner, they provided consent to search the vehicle. During the search, the officer located various items of male clothing, a piece of tinfoil with burnt drug residue, and a glass meth pipe with residue inside of a purse.  

Inside that purse was a membership card with the female’s name on it. Officers asked the female if the purse was hers and if she wanted it. She stated that it was not, but that she did want the membership card with her name on it. According to the jail roster, the female was not charged with any crime.  

Mackenzie was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony theft. 

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