Wanted Man Steals Vehicle, Drives 106 MPH on a Busy Missoula Road

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 23, 2024, a Missoula Police Department was contacted by dispatch for a report of a stolen vehicle. The complainant reported he started his blue 2008 Ford Focus ten minutes ago and it was now gone.

Another officer advised over the radio that he located the stolen vehicle heading westbound on East Broadway. He saw the vehicle pull into the Alberstons’ East Gate parking lot and waited for back-up before conducting a stop.  

Once additional back-up arrived, the officer attempted a traffic stop and turned on his emergency lights. The vehicle immediately began a hard acceleration through the parking lot and backed out onto East Broadway.

The vehicle proceeded eastbound on East Broadway and Highway 200 into East Missoula at speeds ranging from 106 MPH in the 45 MPH zone to 76 MPH in the 35 MPH zone. The vehicle turned onto Michigan Avenue and ran all stop signs without stopping or slowing down. 

Eventually, the vehicle hit a dead end at Mount Jumbo School and the East Missoula Lions Park. The suspect exited the vehicle and ran from law enforcement. The suspect was able to elude law enforcement, but the vehicle remained on scene. Law enforcement contacted the complainant and let him know the vehicle was recovered. 

The complainant identified items in the vehicle that did not belong to him, including a pair of jeans, and consented to a search of the vehicle. An officer grabbed the jeans and found they contained a wallet in the pocket. The wallet contained a Montana Department of Corrections Identification with a photograph of 24-year-old Davonte Clark-Gardiner, along with multiple debit/credit cards. The officer learned from dispatch that Clark-Gardiner was listed as “absconded from Billings Probation and Parole.” 

On January 24, 2024, an officer was dispatched to Ole’s Gas Station in East Missoula to assist the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office in taking a suspect into custody. The officer responded to the scene and Clark-Gardiner was the suspect being taken into custody. 

Clark-Gardiner is currently being charged with felony theft and fleeing from or eluding a peace officer. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.