Man Says He Stole From a Missoula Store 40 Times in Three Months

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 8, 2023, at approximately 9:40 a.m., a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to a report of trespassing, located at the Albertsons grocery store on E Broadway Street. Loss prevention had called in a male named Kenneth Oralls. 

The officer arrived and made contact with the loss prevention officer who said the Oralls had approximately $3,000 worth of products that had been taken in the last few months. He also mentioned that a detective was working on the cases and was going to run with it as one master case. 

At approximately 10:40 a.m., the officer located Oralls walking south on Vanburen. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and ordered Oralls to stop. After approximately the fourth escalating verbal command, Oralls stopped, turned around, and walked toward the front of the patrol vehicle. He was handcuffed and the officer patted him down for weapons, which yielded nothing.  

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The officer advised Oralls of his Miranda rights and asked him if he was stealing from Albertsons. According to court documents, Oralls responded, “all the time.” He told the officer that stealing from them was his “bread and butter” and “the only thing I know how to do”. He also told the officer that he often would sell the food that he steals to friends to make money or trade the food for drugs. 

The officer asked if he knew that he wasn’t allowed back into Albertsons and he told the officer, “Yes”. He said he continues to steal from them because he gets away with it, and no one has stopped him from loss prevention.  

A probation search of Oralls’ backpack yielded some of the property stolen that day, which were three small propane tanks and four alcoholic drinks. Oralls approximated that in the last three months since he’d been out of prison, he’d stolen from this Albertsons 40 times. The loss prevention officer said that they had approximately 28 cases against Oralls. 

Oralls was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility and is currently being charged with felony burglary. 

On November 2, 2020, Oralls was charged with felony burglary.

READ MORE: Man Smashes a Business’s Window, Steals Clothing Off a Mannequin

On September 10, 2020, Oralls was charged with felony assault with a weapon after he allegedly held a knife to another man’s stomach and throat.

READ MORE: Man Allegedly Held a Knife to Another Man’s Throat and Stomach

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