Four charged in suspected mail theft

Four people were arrested for suspected mail theft after an early morning traffic stop last week in Hayden.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy found large amounts of U.S. mail in a vehicle pulled over for speeding on Hayden Road at 1:15 a.m. on March 12, according to a news release. The mail was addressed to 26 people, with addresses in Cataldo, Idaho; Hayden; Spokane; Spokane Valley and Elk, Washington.

During the stop, a sheriff’s K9 alerted the deputy to the smell of narcotics in the car. Used drug paraphernalia, a bowie knife and an air-soft type gun were found in the vehicle along with the mail, the release said.

The driver, Kelsey L. Wentzel, 29, of Cataldo, has been charged with grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to conceal or destroy evidence.

The three passengers have also been charged.

Jacob M. Thomas, 30, of Chattaroy, was charged with grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a concealed weapon.

Hannah L. Ryckman, 20, of Spokane Valley, was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of fraudulently obtained goods, frequenting a place where drugs are used and attempting to conceal or destroy evidence.

Joseph M. Stull, 20, of Vancouver, was charged with grand theft, possession of stolen property, frequenting a place where drugs are used and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence.