On December 29, 2021, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a theft report of a stolen vehicle. The victim reported his 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback was stolen from Lowe’s parking lot. Officers were able to review surveillance from Lowe’s. The surveillance showed a man, identified as 37-year-old Andrew Ault, exiting a red van in the parking lot and entering into the Subaru. Officers later recovered the Subaru on January 2, 2022, but the rear license plate was missing.

On April 14, 2022, Missoula Police Officers were dispatched to a theft report of a stolen vehicle. The victim reported his 1997 green Subaru Impreza was stolen. On April 19, 2022, the victim observed his vehicle on the Higgins Street Bridge with a different license plate. When the officer arrived on-scene, he confirmed the vehicle belonged to the victim and noticed the ignition was punched out.

It was later determined that a backpack belonging to Ault was located in the car. Ault reported that his backpack was stolen the day before from Caras Park. However, the report of the stolen backpack was filed by Ault online an hour and a half after police were on scene with the stolen green Subaru.

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Later that day, officers were dispatched to a theft report of a stolen vehicle near Bed, Bath, and Beyond. The victim reported his 1993 red Subaru Impreza was just stolen. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the Southgate Mall complex,” Arnold said. “Officers were able to review video surveillance. They watched the male, Andrew Ault, take the vehicle. He drove over and entered a business. Ault was immediately recognized by business owners and police officers based on recent contact with Ault.”

Officers were able to review surveillance from the area showing Ault get into the Subaru and driving it to another store. On April 20, 2022, Officers located the stolen red Subaru and Ault was occupying the vehicle when Officers arrived.

“Later, Ault was located sitting in the vehicle parked in a parking lot,” Arnold said. “Ault made comments to the police officer about being aware of what he had been doing and admitted to recent drug use. Officers observed indicators of Ault removing bumper stickers to try and make the vehicle not stand out. Officers were able to have the victim come and take the vehicle. The victim identified items in the vehicle that were not theirs. Officers also discovered other stolen items.”

Court documents indicate Ault initially denied taking the vehicle, but later admitted he was “joyriding” in it. Ault was taken into custody and transported to the Missoula County Jail. He is currently being charged with one count of felony theft. The aggregate amount of the property alleged to have been stolen exceeds $1,500.

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

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