Authorities Searching for Stolen Handgun [AUDIO]

Five Valleys Crimestoppers is asking for the public's help in locating a handgun that was stolen from a private vehicle while it was parked at the National Guard Armory at the Wye on Friday, June 7.

Missoula County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Paige Pavalone said on Monday, that a National Guardsman believes he may have left his personal vehicle unlocked while at the armory last Friday.

"He locked his car and went inside for his training, but returned to his car later in the morning and believes he may have left the vehicle unlocked," Pavalone said. "When he returned to his vehicle at about 5:00 p.m. that evening, he discovered that his seat had been moved up. He immediately looked under the seat where he stored his pistol, and it was gone. The theft happened during daylight hours, sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m."

Pavalone provided a description of the missing weapon.

"The missing weapon is a .45 caliber Springfield Armory XDS semi-automatic pistol, black in color," Pavalone said. "Our detective unit constantly follows up with pawnshops and looks at pawn slips to see if items that have been stolen ever surface in local pawnshops."

According to a local gun shop, the approximate value of the weapon is between $600.00 and $640.00. Anyone with information about this stolen handgun, or the suspect in the case, is asked to call Five Valleys Crimestoppers at 721-44-44.

Public Information Officer Paige Pavalone