Relatives report stolen trucks one day apart

Local resident Jaxon Simonson, 20, said he and his younger cousin each had their pickup trucks stolen one day apart.

The Havre Police Department dispatch log shows that his cousin’s 2004 Ford truck was reported stolen Wednesday at 6:49 a.m., and Simonson reported his 1977 Ford truck stolen Thursday at 11:16 a.m.

Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich said this morning that the 2004 Ford truck, the first one reported, was recovered later that same day, about a block away. Aside from some small dents — Matosich said it’s unclear whether they were there before — there was no other reported damage. He said the keys were not inside, and police have some good leads on the theft.

Simonson said he came out of his home Thursday and was planning on getting in his 1977 truck to buy some groceries. But instead of his truck, he found only glass shards where it was last parked.

Matosich said, as of now, law enforcement has not made a connection between the two thefts. Simonson, who works at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, said he hadn’t considered the two thefts being related, and he couldn’t think of any enemies he might have, either.

“I have quite a bit of friends, I don’t make enemies,” he said.

The truck has sentimental value for Simonson.

Simonson said the old F-150 was his dad’s first truck, which his dad bought with money from his first job. Simonson said he usually keeps the truck “completely locked.”

The police came by and questioned him. He’s hoping they find it and has considered looking around for it himself, as well.

Matosich said that Simonson’s truck, which is brown and white, is still missing and the police don’t have much for leads at this time. He said the passenger side window might be broken out, so peple can be on the lookout for that.

People who see a brown and white 1977 Ford F-150 with an extended cab and a long bed, can call the Havre Police Department at 265-4361 or the sheriff’s office a 265-2512 or Crimestoppers at 265-4444.