Checking in on a man slumped over in a vehicle along West Idaho Street in Kalispell earlier this month led police officers to an allegedly stolen SUV.  

Dillion Ross Hill, 38, faces a felony count of theft and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, second offense, following his July 14 run-in with Kalispell Police officers. Hill, who remains behind bars at the county jail with bail set at $20,000, is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan on Aug. 7 for his arraignment in Flathead County District Court.  

Investigators began looking for the stolen 2003 Toyota Highlander after its owner reported it missing on May 25. He told the police that he last saw it parked in front of his Fifth Avenue North home the day prior, according to court documents.  

Officers ran into Hill at a Kalispell hotel on May 29 and reported seeing him with a Toyota Highlander matching the description of the stolen vehicle, court documents said.  

But it wasn't until they responded to reports of a man slumped over in a vehicle on the 400 block of West Idaho Street about 7:30 a.m. that officers were able to connect Hill to the stolen Highlander, court documents said. Officers identified the driver, who they described as disoriented, as Hill and spotted the keys to the vehicle still in the ignition, according to court documents. They also allegedly saw drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.  

During a subsequent field sobriety test, Hill showed signs of impairment, court documents said. After arresting him, investigators secured a warrant for a blood sample. Hill has one prior driving under the influence conviction from 2023, according to court documents. Hill is also charged with drug possession in a separate case in district court. 

During the July 14 stop, officers ran the license plate and found that it did not match up with the vehicle, court documents alleged. Using the vehicle identification number, investigators learned that Hill was driving the stolen Highlander, according to court documents.

If convicted of felony theft, Hill faces up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000. Misdemeanor driving under the influence, second offense, is punishable by between seven days and one year behind bars and a fine of between $1,200 and $2,000. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].