Stolen Bike Leads to Surprising Twist in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 30, 2025, Missoula Police Department Officers responded to a call regarding the recovery of stolen property, namely a bicycle. The 911 caller, Jane Doe, reported her bike had been stolen the previous day. Doe said someone had sent her a photograph of her bike on top of a vehicle the day after it was stolen.  

Doe was able to provide the license plate number for the vehicle, a 2006 Subaru Forrester. Doe also mentioned that her bike was a lime green Scott Speeder. An officer observed the Subaru in front of the address associated with the vehicle, with the bike strapped onto the top. There were two occupants in the Subaru. The driver was identified as 43-year-old Andrew Ross. Ross was detained and stated that he had found the bike on the side of the road. 

Ross was then Mirandized and agreed to speak to law enforcement. Ross claimed he located the bike in a ditch by Caras Park yesterday afternoon. He thought the bike was ditched. Ross was unable to specify a timeline. Ross then claimed he was trying to find the bike’s owner and searched the serial number on Project 529 Garage, which reported the bike was not stolen. However, the officer searched Project 529 Garage and observed that the bike was listed as stolen. Ross then declined to answer any further questions and was arrested. 

The Officer Confirmed the Bike was Stolen

The officer retrieved the bike and confirmed it was a match to the stolen bike by comparing serial numbers. While near the Subaru, the officer observed a yellow “tooter’ straw, a butane torch, and some tubing consistent with her training and experience with drug use. The Subaru was seized pending a search warrant.  

The officer contacted Doe, who advised that she purchased the bike for $1,500 from her boyfriend’s father; however, the bike was worth closer to $3,000. The officer conducted a search on multiple websites for the value of the bike and observed that it typically has a retail value of around $2,000. 

Ross has a pending theft charge out of Montana’s Fourth Judicial District Court. Ross is charged with felony Theft by Common Scheme, felony Possession of a Silencer, felony Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, two counts of Resisting Arrest, four counts of Criminal Trespass to Vehicles, Criminal Trespass to Property, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Obstructing a Peace Officer.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

According to court documents, Ross was on conditions of release when the above criminal conduct took place, yet committed another felony offense. He is currently being charged with felony theft, and his bond was set at $10,000. 

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