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Missoula, Mont. (AP) Police in Missoula County say they have arrested six people for allegedly trying to poach deer and steal gasoline from a ranch in the Ninemile area.

Missoula County Sheriff Sgt. Mike Dominick calls the case a nighttime deer hunting expedition gone bad.

Investigators say three were arrested for trying to steal fuel from a rancher late Friday. Three were initially caught by the rancher and his son, but three others fled.

Additional investigation, including help from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, led to the other suspects, but also led to other legal problems. At a house shared by three of the suspects, police seized several untagged or incorrectly tagged deer in a garage.

They are being held in the Missoula County Detention Facility on a variety of charges, including trespass, theft and game violations.

Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-30-09 0734CST | save this article / add to your favorites list