Billings, MT — A frightening incident unfolded Sunday morning when a local man reported that his vehicle had been stolen with his two young children inside. The children, ages two years and three months, were unharmed after a swift response by law enforcement.
The incident began around 9:40 a.m. in the 1100 block of 1st Avenue North, when the vehicle owner contacted authorities to report that his car had been stolen with his children still inside. Authorities were immediately notified, and a coordinated search ensued. Within a short time, Billings Police successfully located the vehicle in the 800 block of North 17th Street, where the two children were found safe and unharmed.
While the children were recovered, the suspect had fled the scene on foot before police could arrive. However, law enforcement’s investigation quickly gained traction with the assistance of surveillance footage from Club Lux, a nearby business. The footage provided a clear image of the suspect, who was seen wearing an ankle monitor, leading officers to contact Pre-Trial Officer Friedel for further information. This led to the identification of the suspect as 19-year-old Monty Reed.
Reed was later apprehended and taken into custody. He was booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, motor vehicle theft, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Billings Police commended the quick and efficient response from all involved parties. The department expressed gratitude to Club Lux for providing crucial video surveillance, as well as to Pre-Trial Officer Friedel, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Highway Patrol for their collaborative efforts in resolving the case.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of timely law enforcement intervention and the role of community resources in ensuring public safety. Thanks to the swift action of the Billings Police and their partners, a potentially devastating situation was quickly brought to a close.
