Hay River RCMP recently conducted a traffic stop that resulted in them recovering a vehicle that was stolen from Ontario.
The stop was conducted on October 30th, where officers pulled over a high-value luxury vehicle that was driving with an expired license plate. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had a false Vehicle Identification Number, which uncovered its stolen nature.
The two occupants of the vehicle were immediately arrested, and the vehicle was seized, as it is believed to be connected with organized crime.
Search warrants were secured for the vehicle, as well as the hotel room that was rented to the driver. The search turned up over $2,000 in cash, multiple luxury watches, and various pieces of drug trafficking supplies. Around 248 grams of an unknown, powdered substance was found inside the vehicle, and an analysis is being conducted to determine its identity.
One of the vehicle’s occupants has been released without charge. The other occupant is 22-year-old Stanley Letcher from Fort Simpson, and has been charged with:
- Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5,000
- Operating a vehicle without valid registration
- Operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
Letcher has been released from custody with an Undertaking to appear in court. This investigation remains ongoing, and is being assisted by the Toronto Police Service and Alberta’s RCMP Auto Theft Unit.
