Man Steals Gun From Missoula Pawn Shop, Gets Caught With Meth and Fentanyl

On July 13, 2022, Missoula Police Department officers responded to a reported theft at a local pawn shop. The complainant stated a suspect male stole a Glock .40 caliber pistol valued at $630.00.

The complainant advised that the suspect fled in a 2005 dark-blue Ford F-150. An officer met with the complainant and determined that the suspect, Joseph Schrantz, is currently being supervised by Missoula Probation and Parole. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

"Officers responded to a report of a theft of a gun from a local pawn shop," Arnold said. "During the investigation, officers were provided the suspect, Joseph Schrantz's name and vehicle description. Later, the officer observed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop."

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The officer advised Schrantz of his Miranda rights and then asked him, “Where is it?” Schrantz replied that it was underneath the center console. He gave the officer permission to enter the truck.

The officer located the stolen Glock pistol and confirmed its serial number matched the one taken from the local pawn shop. Another officer arrived on the scene and began to search Schrantz incident to arrest.

"During a search incident to arrest, dangerous drugs were located on Schrantz's person," Arnold said. "Schrantz gave officers permission to remove some of the dangerous drugs in the vehicle he had admitted to having. Probation and parole became involved and conducted a vehicle search, which led to the discovery of additional dangerous drugs and indicators of distribution. This case is still under investigation with the Missoula Police Department Detectives Division."

The officer discovered a glass apothecary containing several bluish, round pills bearing the marking “M 30.” These pills are well known to law enforcement to be counterfeit Oxycontin containing fentanyl. They are referred to as “Mexi’s” on the street because they are commonly manufactured by drug cartels in Mexico. Schrantz admitted to using between ten and twelve of the pills each day.

In addition to the pills, the officer located a glass methamphetamine pipe. Schrantz initially denied possessing additional drugs but later admitted there was a small amount of methamphetamine in the truck under the stereo.

The officer obtained Schrantz’s permission to retrieve the methamphetamine. Upon re-entering the truck, the officer observed a scale and a small clear plastic bag in the pocket beneath the stereo. The bag contained approximately one gram of methamphetamine.

Meanwhile, the officer continued his search of Schrantz incident to arrest and located another glass apothecary container with more suspected methamphetamine inside.

The officer re-advised Schrantz of his Miranda rights and began to question him about the gun. Schrantz admitted to stealing it and confirmed his knowledge of the contents of the apothecaries. Shortly thereafter, a probation officer arrived on the scene and conducted a probation search of the truck. In the center console, she discovered a clear plastic baggie containing more suspected fentanyl pills.

Schrantz is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and theft. Schrantz has two prior convictions for Theft, making this his third offense.

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