Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On August 7, 2024, at approximately 5:31 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer received a report of a vehicle stolen. The complainant stated that a male suspect had just stolen her husband’s 1978 Chevrolet truck that was parked in front of their home. At this time, the complainant’s husband, John Doe, was speaking with the suspect, who had stopped further down the street.

When the officer responded to the call, he learned that the suspect was now heading toward the Johnson Street Shelter, followed by Doe. When he arrived, Doe pointed to the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Nikolas Linstedt. Linstedt told another officer on scene that he had been at the shelter all night and had nothing to do with the stolen vehicle.

Meanwhile, the officer spoke with Doe, who said he had begun warming up his Chevy truck, which was parked right in front of his house, when he noticed the brake lights come on and then back on. Then he saw the headlights come on. Doe ran outside and chased his truck as it sped away.

Eventually he managed to jump into the truck bed. From there he opened the driver’s door and tried to pull Linstedt out of the driver’s seat. Linstedt stopped the vehicle and said something like “Excuse me” and “I need your help.”

Linstedt began to walk away after speaking briefly with Doe. Doe drove his truck back to his residence and then followed Linstedt to the animal shelter. Doe told the officer that his security cameras had captured the incident and showed him the recording.

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

The officer observed Linstedt walking south on Johnson Street, checking the door handles of other vehicles. He then turned onto Kent Avenue and got into Doe’s truck. As Linstedt drove away, Doe ran out of his house and gave chase.

Linstedt was arrested and taken to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently facing charges of attempted theft of a light vehicle.

The information in this article was obtained from publicly available sources.