Shoplifting Incident Leads to Unexpected Drug Charges in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 27, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to the Good Food Store following a report that 29-year-old Alexandria Ricci was inside and had previously shoplifted. Upon her arrival, the officer was met outside by a store employee who informed her that Ricci was attempting to exit the store with unpaid merchandise.  

The officer entered the store and observed Ricci walking past the registers with a basket of merchandise in her hands. Ricci, upon seeing the officer, then walked back through the registers and into the store, attempting to walk away from the officers. The officer caught up with Ricci, instructed her to put the items down, and exit the store.  

After they exited the store, Ricci was instructed to sit on the bumper of the officer’s patrol vehicle. Ricci began offering statements indicating that she did not steal anything, and that the officer could look in her bag. After speaking for a little while, the officer asked if she could look in Ricci’s purse. Ricci told the officer that she could not search the bag but voluntarily opened it to show that there was no merchandise inside it.

Get our free mobile app

While the officer was speaking with Ricci, another officer was gathering information about other theft incidents that occurred at the Good Food Store, which also involved Ricci. Ricci was ultimately placed under arrest and taken to the Missoula County Detention Facility.  

At the jail, the officer brought Ricci’s purse inside so it could be placed into Ricci’s property. The jail declined to hold the bag, stating that it was too large. Per Missoula Police Department policy, the bag needed to be logged for safekeeping. As a result, the officer was required to complete an inventory search. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

In completing the inventory search, the officer discovered two baggies inside Ricci’s wallet. One baggie contained a white crystal-like substance, and the other contained a white powder. The first baggie tested presumptive positive as methamphetamine, and the second baggie tested inconclusive via a TruNarc scanner. 

According to court documents, Ricci is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and attempted theft first offense.  

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