Vehicle Break-in Turns Into Drug Investigation in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 8:45 p.m. on May 7, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched for a report of a man possibly breaking into a vehicle in the Orange Street Food Farm parking lot. Officers on scene had located the suspect at 601 S. Orange St. and he was later identified as 38-year-old Christopher Schwanz. 

Schwanz stated there was a vehicle in the Orange Street Food Farm parking lot with an open door, but he did not go into it. Schwanz was very jittery with his movements and bouncing all over as he was talking. He was also struggling to enunciate his words and could not sit still. The officer had the impression that Schwanz was under the influence of narcotics.   

Then the officer went to the Orange Street Food Farm to speak with witnesses. An employee saw Schwanz inside her vehicle going through her center console. She went out to confront Schwanz, but he left on foot.  

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She did not believe anything was missing from the vehicle but stated that her center console was now broken after the suspect was rummaging through the vehicle. She believes he was looking for drugs because her dispensary bag was pulled out. She said that her car was locked, and she did not know how Schwanz got into the vehicle.  

After speaking to witnesses, the officer went over to where Schwanz’s truck was parked. The officer looked through the window and saw a tooter straw on the front seat of the vehicle. 

After a search incident to arrest, a piece of burnt tin foil was found on Schwanz with a white rock-like substance inside the foil. Officers observed the substance, and each believed, based on their training and experience, that it was a narcotic, possibly fentanyl. The substance was tested with TruNarc, and the results came back inconclusive. An officer later logged the substance into the MPD evidence room for further testing. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Schwanz was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal mischief, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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