A U-Haul truck slid off a road in northwestern Wyoming on Wednesday, which resulted in an ongoing multistate investigation of stolen property, Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeremy Beck said Friday.

A trooper saw the truck off Wyoming Highway 120 north of Cody and stopped to render aid and call a tow truck, Beck said.

He did not know what direction the truck was traveling, nor where it was most recently, he said.

During the assistance, the trooper could smell the odor of marijuana and was notified the truck was stolen, Beck said.

At that point, the trooper arrested the driver -- 24-year-old Phoenix resident Austin Kelly.

After the arrest, the trooper found different identification documents on the driver, prescription drugs that didn't belong to him, and a felony amount of methamphetamine.

A search warrant executed on the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded pistol, prescription drugs, marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and drug packaging.

Other contraband included apparent stolen tobacco products, power tools, jewelry, clothing, watches, knives and coins.

"There was quite a bit of property that was recovered, and it's just going to take a little bit of time to find out if that was stolen, what all was stolen, how much, the value of each item, as well as there was a felony amount of methamphetamine," Beck said.

The Highway Patrol has found a victim from Phoenix who had reported cash and credit cards stolen from them.

While the initial arrest was for possession of the stolen vehicle, other charges may be pending, Beck said.

There are no other suspects at this time, but the investigation is ongoing, he said.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the case with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies to identify more victims.

 

 



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