How It Unfolded

According to court documents obtained by KGVO, the incident began when an officer spotted a male in all black clothing and a white Nike face mask standing in the parking lot of Maxxed Out Performance near Clark Fork Way. When the officer approached, another male at the building's door immediately fled on foot.

After multiple commands, the officer detained 18-year-old Jaikeli Charlo, who was identified by his driver's license. Charlo told officers he was with his cousin, identified as X.C., and another friend, W.M. Court records indicate X.C. has a prior caution for possessing handguns and rifles and is known to flee from law enforcement.

What They Were After

Initially, the suspects offered different explanations. Charlo claimed they were simply asking people for money near the gas station and didn't know why he was wearing a mask. However, he eventually admitted the group was trying to break into businesses — specifically Maxxed Out Performance and Town and Country Auto Body — to steal a crowbar. The goal? Use that crowbar to burglarize a liquor store at Mullan Station.

X.C., who was tracked by drone to the Missoula Waste Water Treatment Plant after jumping a locked fence, admitted to "jiggling handles" at local businesses. He claimed the crowbar was for his cousin's van. The third suspect, W.M., who had been released from Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility just 12 hours earlier, told officers they were "just ding-dong ditching and checking door handles to see if they were unlocked."

Gang Connection Suspected

Perhaps most concerning for local residents: court documents suggest the young men are suspected of being involved in a gang operating in the Missoula area and have been associated with various crimes in both Missoula and Lake Counties.

The Outcome

All three suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Jaikeli Charlo was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility and is currently charged with felony conspiracy to commit robbery. His bond was set at $10,000.

What This Means for Missoula Residents

While Mullan Road is a busy commercial corridor with plenty of foot traffic during business hours, this incident serves as a reminder that property crimes can happen anywhere — even in well-trafficked areas. Local business owners may want to review their security protocols, particularly for overnight hours.

The Missoula Police Department has not indicated whether additional charges may be forthcoming for the other two suspects, or if this arrest is connected to a broader investigation into local gang activity.

Information in this article was obtained from publicly viewable court documents and KGVO News reporting.