At around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Missoula Police received a complaint from someone who said some metal was taken from a location in the 200 block of Commerce Street. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh says the complainant gave a description of the suspect and also described the suspect’s vehicle.

“The complainant also thought that the male may be in route to a recycling center where he could dispose the metals he had just taken,” Welsh said. “Responding officers immediately went to the area of the recycling center. They encountered a white pickup that matched the description as well as the plate number. They observed a male standing outside of the vehicle. He was taking items out of the truck bed.”

According to Welsh, the officers identified the male and quickly learned that he had outstanding warrants for his arrest.

“During the course of their contact, they also discovered that he was not only in possession of the stolen metal, but he also had a small amount of marijuana,” Welsh said. “He also admitted to possessing methamphetamine at the scene. The man was identified as 49-year-old Mearle Taylor and he was taken into custody.”

Taylor is being held for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, and a handful of other traffic offenses.

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