Walmart Theft Attempt Reveals Ongoing Crime Spree in Missoula

Missoula Man Continues to Steal From Walmart Despite Being Trespassed

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 16, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Missoula Police Department officer responded to Walmart on Highway 93 S. after receiving a report that 48-year-old Michael Schulz and a female attempted to steal property from the store. The two suspects were unsuccessful and fled the area on foot.  

Upon arrival, loss prevention employees informed the officer that Schulz and the female had arrived at the store together that day. Schulz entered the store at approximately 6:23 p.m. He obtained a shopping cart and placed a speaker into the cart after removing the “spider wire” security packaging. Schulz then placed two rugs into the cart in an attempt to cover up the speaker.  

At 6:34 p.m., Schulz passed all points of sale and attempted to exit the store with the merchandise. He was stopped by loss prevention employees but then fled the area, leaving the merchandise behind.  

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The Suspects are Habitual Offenders 

Loss prevention employees provided the officer with documentation showing Schulz and the female had been trespassed from Walmart since September 8, 2022. Both individuals signed acknowledgments of their trespasses. Loss prevention also informed the officer that despite being trespassed from Walmart for years, Schulz and the female are the suspects in four other shoplifting events. According to court documents, Schulz is believed to have stolen or attempted to steal approximately $3,165.76 worth of merchandise from Walmart over the past month.  

The following day, July 17, 2025, at approximately 2:28 a.m., another officer responded to Buckhouse Bridge to further investigate this case. He learned that a vehicle associated with the suspects was parked near the Bridge. Upon arrival, the officer located the vehicle and then located Schulz and the female at a nearby camp.  

The officer stated that he needed to ask Schulz and the female about an incident earlier that day. Schulz spoke up first and admitted he tried to steal items from Walmart but was not successful. Schulz then told the officer that he knew he had been trespassed from Walmart but believed the trespass expired. The officer reminded Schulz that he had signed a document at Walmart advising him that he was trespassed indefinitely. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The female said she was with Schulz but remained in the car and never went into the store because she knew she was trespassed. The officer told her that the parking lot is still Walmart’s property and that she was trespassing by being there at all.  

Schulz was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony attempted burglary. Court documents indicate additional charges may be forthcoming when the investigations are completed into the other thefts referenced earlier.  

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