4 caught, charged with mail fraud

An early morning traffic stop leads to four arrests for mail theft and drug charges. At about 1:15 a.m. last Saturday, a Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy observed a speeding 2008 Ford Focus eastbound on Hayden Avenue and Ramsey Road. When the officer stopped the vehicle,at Hayden Avenue and Highway 95, he noticed the occupants moving around the car. The driver, Kelsey L. Wentzel, 29, of Cataldo, (pictured) didn’t have current insurance or a driver’s license. The officer asked for a K9 unit, which allegedly smelled the odor of narcotics in the car. Once all the occupants were removed from the car, the deputies found drug paraphernalia, a bowie knife, an air-soft-type gun that was painted black and a large amount of US mail. More here.

Suspects:

The four were identified as and booked into the Kootenai County Jail for the following charges:

• Kelsey L. Wentzel, 29, of Cataldo: Grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence. Bond was set at $15,600 – released on bond 3/14/16
• Jacob M. Thomas, 30, of Chattaroy, Wash: Grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a concealed weapon. Bond was set at $25,900 – released on bond 3/16/16
• Hannah L. Ryckman, 20, of Spokane Valley, Wash.: Possession of stolen property, possession of fraudulently obtained goods, frequenting a place where drugs are used and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence. Bond was set at $20,600 – still in custody
• Joseph M. Stull, 20, Vancouver, Wash: Grand theft, possession of stolen property, frequenting a place where drugs are used and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence. Bond was set at $15,600 – still in custody