Missoula Residents Urged to Lock Homes After Recent Burglary Attempts

The Missoula Police Department, through a Facebook post, is reminding Missoula residents to lock their homes to help prevent burglaries. 

According to the post: “The Missoula Police Department is reminding residents to take basic steps to secure their homes, including locking doors and windows and not leaving cash or other valuables in plain view. Many recent residential burglaries have occurred through unlocked doors and may have been preventable. 

Officers were in the area of the 1200 block of Waverly yesterday attempting to locate a burglary suspect. We believe this individual may have attempted entry into additional homes in the area. In most cases, entry was made through unlocked doors; however, there have also been incidents involving forced entry by kicking in doors. The suspect is believed to be taking cash and other valuables.” 

How the Suspect Is Entering Homes

The post also explains, in part, Montana’s burglary laws.

“Under Montana law, burglary involves unlawfully entering or remaining in a structure with the intent to commit a crime, or committing a crime after entry, regardless of whether the door was locked.” 

READ MORE: Missoula Burglar Steals One Man’s Gun and Another Man’s Subaru

What Residents Should Do Right Now

The Missoula Police Department is asking for residents in the area to review any home security or doorbell camera footage and report if they believe their residence may have been entered or targeted, even if nothing was taken. 

If you believe you may be a victim the police department is asking residents to contact Detective Todd Horton at (406) 552-6286. If you see suspicious activity in progress, call 911 immediately. 

This information is also a good reminder to lock up your vehicles and keep valuables out of plain view to prevent break-ins.