Homeless Camp Found Inside a Missoula Business

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 21, 2026, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 3300 block of Raser Drive for a reported burglary that had previously occurred. The reporting party said they found a homeless camp inside one of the buildings on the property. He believed several items were missing from separate buildings inside the business. A deputy spoke with him over the phone prior to arriving.  

He said he conducts security at the property and on the previous night, around midnight, he was alerted to a burglary alarm. He said he found a hole in the side of one of the buildings that appeared to have been cut open by someone. He also inspected a garage on one of the properties and located a bike attached to a black Husky toolbox. He also found a tent inside the building. He said the tent did not belong to any employees and determined the black Husky toolbox belonged to the property owner. 

He said he had not seen the suspect male that day, but he was unsure how long the male may have been living on the property. Based on what he observed, he believed the male had been squatting on the property, entered several structures on the property, and took items.  

Investigation Leads to Suspect's Tent

Another deputy was attempting to locate the suspect when he was directed towards the squatter’s tent. The deputy located the tent in the top section of the garage. Within the tent, the deputy found Montana registration paperwork that belonged to 62-year-old Thomas Anderson. The deputy also observed a cellphone and clear plastic baggies containing the remains of a white crystallized substance suspected to be methamphetamine. 

The deputy learned that Anderson had several local appearance only warrants. The deputy also saw trash littered on the ground and human excrement. Deputies were unable to locate Anderson on the property.  

On September 25, deputies located Anderson. Anderson denied ever being at the business and claimed he was living with a friend at the Villagio apartments. When confronted about the vehicle registration being found in the tent on the property, Anderson stated he spent two nights there and had set up a tent in the catwalk of a building he presumed was abandoned. When asked where the tent now was, Anderson stated he threw it away.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Anderson was placed under arrest and transported to jail. After booking, the deputy was approached by a detention officer who said they found methamphetamine on Anderson during an inventory search. 

Anderson is currently being charged with felony burglary, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal mischief. 

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