Local man charged after allegedly stealing multiple e-bikes from Walmart
Published at
CHUBBUCK — A Bannock County man is facing multiple criminal charges after he allegedly stole multiple e-bikes and other items from a Walmart.
Joshua James Montalvo, 41, has been charged with three counts of burglary and one count of grand theft.
According to court documents, on July 29, law enforcement responded to a Bannock County Walmart for reports that Montalvo, allegedly a known shoplifter, was attempting to cut the security wire off an e-bike in the sporting section.
Montalvo was reportedly brought to Walmart loss prevention by officers on scene and store staff reported this was the third or fourth time Montalvo had allegedly tried to steal e-bikes, according to court documents. In addition to trying to cut the wire off the e-bike, Montalvo had also allegedly put two e-bike batteries in his backpack.
Store staff told law enforcement that on July 3, Montalvo allegedly had switched a cheaper bike tag onto an e-bike and then purchased the e-bike using the wrong tag. Montalvo allegedly paid only $398.00 for an e-bike valued at $672.00. On July 6, Montalvo allegedly did the same thing purchasing another e-bike valued at $672.00 for only $398.00 using a wrong tag, as well as allegedly shoplifting multiple items from the electronic section.
On July 15, Montalvo allegedly did it again, for a third time, this time swapping the $672.00 e-bike’s tag for a bike valued at $148.00, according to store staff’s reports.
After reviewing the evidence of the three incidents Montalvo is accused of stealing the e-bikes, law enforcement placed Montalvo under arrest and he was transported to the Bannock County Jail for booking.
According to court documents, Montalvo was out on pretrial release, however on Sept. 16, a warrant was filed for his arrest. The warrant states Montalvo allegedly violated the conditions of his release. The warrant was returned Sept. 17.
If found guilty of the charges, Montalvo may face up to 44 years in prison and may be required to pay fines of up to $155,000.
Montalvo is being represented by a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office does not comment on active cases.
Montalvo is set to appear in court next for arraignment Sept. 28.
Although Montalvo has been accused of a crime, that does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.