Statue stolen from Mercantile

SWAN VALLEY - Two unknown suspects were caught on camera stealing Condi, the green dinosaur statue located outside of Mission Mountains Mercantile between 1:40 and 1:50 a.m. Monday, April 25. They cut the cable that secured the statue, loaded it into a box truck and headed north.

Missoula County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Dunster said the two suspects were wearing white hoodies and pants with masks and black gloves. They were seen coming in from the south on Highway 83 but driving northbound in a white cabover box truck. Dunster does not believe this is connected to other incidents. The incident is still under investigation. 

Store co-owner Grace Siloti estimates the cost of the stolen property at $2,300. According to the Montana Code, stolen property worth over $1,500 is considered a felony. 

Siloti described the thieves as "young," "neat" and "athletic looking." She said it was "interesting" to watch the footage because the two suspects handled the dinosaur "like it was a piece of glass."

"These guys handled it like they were professional movers or something," she said. "They had to have done this before, because they were very calm and very efficient. They knew just what they were doing. They got the job done and got out of there."

The dinosaur was named Condi after Mission Mountains Mercantile allowed local school children to vote over its name.

"It's disgusting, it's sad, it's really disturbing, it's unsettling," Siloti said. "It's not good for any of us because it's an attack on the whole community as far as I'm concerned."

Dunster said any tips should be directed to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information can call 406-258-4810 or fill out the online form found at  https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/public-safety/sheriff-s-office under "Report a non-emergency crime."