Stolen pickup recovered

The owner of a pickup truck stolen in Lincoln Jan. 6, called its location in to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office after spotting it about eight miles west of town.

Earl LaRoque discovered his green and white 1972 Chevy Classic pickup in Powell County along Highway 200 near mile marker 64 around noon Tuesday, Jan. 7. The truck had been parked off the road, among some trees.

LaRoque saw the vehicle as it was being driven away from the Blue Sky Motel, Sunday evening, Jan. 6, but was unable to get a look at person who was driving it. Since the vehicle was heading west on only about a quarter tank of gas, LaRoque figured it wouldn’t make it much farther than Clearwater Junction.

Lincoln’s resident Deputy Sheriff Robert Rivera said the Sheriff’s Office has been compiling security camera footage from businesses in town from the night the truck was taken and have identified a possible suspect in the theft. The same person is suspected of breaking into a car at D&D Grocery the same night the truck was stolen.

Rivera said they believe the incidents are also connected to a car stolen in Great Falls and recovered on 4th Street in Lincoln, but that hasn’t been confirmed.