Wanted Man Caught With Meth at a Missoula Car Wash

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 7:00 p.m. on May 23, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was patrolling the parking lot of the South Avenue Car Wash when he observed a blue 1996 GMC Yukon pull into the parking lot. The officer ran the vehicle through his patrol vehicle's mobile computer to review law enforcement contacts with the vehicle. The officer learned that the vehicle was affiliated with an individual named Victor Pepe.  

The officer reviewed local law enforcement history for 55-year-old Pepe, and discovered that he had an active local arrest warrant. The officer viewed a local booking photo for Pepe and confirmed that the male currently in the vehicle appeared to be Pepe. The officer contacted Pepe, who was standing outside of his vehicle in the wash bay. 

The officer advised Pepe that he had an active arrest warrant and advised him that he was under arrest. Pepe was secured in handcuffs and searched incident to arrest. During that search, the officer located a small plastic baggie containing methamphetamine in Pepe’s front left pants pocket. 

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Pepe told the officer that he had cleared out his storage unit prior to going to work that morning. Pepe stated that he changed into the jeans he was wearing while at the storage unit. Pepe stated that the baggie was his, but it was two years old. Pepe stated that he had not used methamphetamine in two years, but when he did use it, he would smoke it.  

The officer requested consent to search Pepe’s vehicle, which Pepe allowed. While searching the vehicle, officers located a clear plastic baggie of meth in the center console. Another officer contacted Pepe to inquire if there were any firearms in the vehicle, at which point Pepe revoked consent to the search.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Based on the baggies and containers located in the vehicle before consent to search was revoked, the officer asked Pepe when he had last used methamphetamine. According to court documents, Pepe stated that he had last purchased the methamphetamine found in his pocket a couple of days prior. He also stated that he had used some of it during the previous two days.  

Then Pepe was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.  

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