Missing U-Haul Leads to Arrest in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On April 8, 2025, a deputy with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a supervisor with U-Haul. The supervisor acknowledged that on April 1, 2025, 47-year-old Danyell Lewis rented a 10-foot field truck from U-Haul at their Freeway 10 location. Lewis was alleged to return the car by 5:00 p.m. that day however failed to take action.  

The supervisor tried to contact her a number of instances by calling and texting the 2 telephone numbers supplied on the contract however acquired no response. The supervisor stated the textual content messages he despatched confirmed “learn” receipts. The supervisor valued the U-Haul car at roughly $35,000.  

Following this dialogue, the deputy responded to the Arlee space after receiving data {that a} U-Haul car was parked on some property off Doney Lane. Upon arrival, he positioned the U-Haul and confirmed it was the identical one which was reported stolen. 

The deputy honked his horn a number of instances, and a neighbor got here outdoors and spoke with him. The deputy informed the neighbor in regards to the stolen U-Haul, and he or she provided to inform the property homeowners. A short while later, the neighbor returned with Lewis.  

Lewis knowledgeable the deputy that she had not returned the U-Haul as a result of she thought it might be okay to pay for added days after the actual fact. When requested why she by no means contacted U-Haul about securing further time on the rental, she had no reply.  

The deputy arrested Lewis and transported her to jail. In figuring out the suitable cost for this matter, the State positioned one other case referral for Lewis from March of 2024.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

On October 27, 2023, Lewis signed a rental settlement with Enterprise, set to run out on November 9, 2023. Lewis didn’t return the rental on that date. On December 1, 2023, the Enterprise supervisor referred to as Lewis and spoke together with her over the telephone. He knowledgeable Lewis that she wanted to return the car as insurance coverage was not paying for it and had set the rental expiration date as November 9. Lewis didn’t return the rental.  

A “Demand for Return of Overdue Car” letter was despatched to the handle Lewis supplied to Enterprise. On January 16, 2024, Enterprise reported the rental stolen. The rental was discovered deserted the next day. 

That is now the second time a possible rental-vehicle theft involving Lewis has occurred previously 18 months. In accordance with courtroom paperwork, the State believes the Enterprise incident gives vital proof of Lewis’s psychological state with regard to the U-Haul incident. Lewis is at present being charged with felony theft. 

The data on this article was obtained from sources which are publicly viewable.