Just before 3:00 a.m. on Monday, a Missoula Police officer recognized a vehicle on West Broadway. The officer was given a description of a stolen vehicle earlier and this particular vehicle matched that description. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The officer turned around and observed the vehicle turn into a parking lot in the 400 block of West Broadway,” Welsh said. “He was able to see the plate and verify that it was the one that had been previously reported stolen. He observed as a male and female got out of the car and he made contact with the two.”

According to Welsh, the two were quickly detained. The officers learned that there was a third person in the car as well. That individual was removed from the vehicle and an investigation ensued.

“The officers conducted interviews, did an initial investigation at the scene and transported 33-year-old Luke Laplant to the Missoula County Jail,” Welsh said. “He was arrested for felony theft for the vehicle that was involved. A second female passenger, 25-year-old Olivia Kennedy, was arrested for outstanding warrants that were unrelated to the stolen vehicle.”

The third male was identified and interviewed, but he was released at the scene.

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