Suspected car thieves apprehended in Libby
<p>Duane Tyner, victim of car theft.</p>
A pair of suspected auto thieves were apprehended in Libby early Monday morning, according to a report from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Isaac Macy, age 18, and Tyler Davis, age 27, were arrested and will each be charged with one count of felony theft of a motor vehicle and felony theft in a common scheme.
At approximately 3 a.m., sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 call from Duane Tyner reporting the theft of his 1999 Ford Explorer from his residence on Reese Court. Tyner said he heard both of his car doors slam and the vehicle start.
Tyner said he jumped out of bed and raced outside, naked, and saw his vehicle being driven away. He immediately called 911 to report the theft. “I was sleeping and heard both doors slam. I ran outside, wearing nothing, and saw my car going down the road. I came back inside and dialed 911,” Tyner said.
Libby police’s on-duty officer at the time was occupied on another urgent case, so sheriff’s deputies Dodson and Davis were called in to respond. They interviewed Tyner at approximately 3:10 a.m. and began a search for the missing vehicle.
At 3:26 a.m. Deputy Dodson spotted tail-lights at a local convenience store and approached to investigate. He confirmed the vehicle as the one stolen from Tyner’s residence and stopped Macy and Davis at the intersection of Highway 2 and Larch Street.
The two men were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Lincoln County jail.
Following the arrest, Libby Police Sergeant Terry Watson was called in early to complete the investigation. Items recovered from the vehicle, later identified by Watson, provided evidence of at least 26 separate incidents of theft from private vehicles.
Sheriff Roby Bowe commended the deputies for their work. “The deputies did a great job of recovering the stolen property,” he said. “They were out there working to keep us all safe while most people are home asleep.”
The two suspects are being held in the Lincoln County jail pending their first appearance in front of Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield. That appearance will be scheduled when the court reopens today following yesterday’s holiday.