Four arrested on mail theft, drug charges

HAYDEN — An early-morning traffic stop last Saturday led to the arrest of four suspects for mail theft and drug charges.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling the Hayden area around 1:15 a.m. when he observed a 2008 Ford Focus eastbound on Hayden Avenue from Ramsey Road at a high rate of speed.

When the vehicle finally pulled over at Hayden Avenue and U.S. 95, the deputy noticed the occupants were moving around the interior of the car quite a bit.

When the deputy contacted the occupants, he found the driver, Kelsey L. Wentzel, 29, Cataldo, didn’t have current insurance or a current driver’s license.

During the stop, a K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics in the car.

Once all the occupants were removed from the car, the deputies located used drug paraphernalia, a concealed Bowie knife, a concealed handgun that later turned out to be an Airsoft gun that was painted black and a large amount of U.S. mail.

Based on the evidence and admissions, the deputies’ opinion was that the foursome was driving from Cataldo to Washington and during their trip they were driving through neighborhoods stealing mail. In all, the deputies found mail belonging to 26 victims from Cataldo, Hayden, Spokane, Spokane Valley and Elk, Wash.

The four were booked into the Kootenai County jail for the following charges:

• Wentzel, grand theft, possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence. Bond was set at $15,600 and she was released on Monday.

• Jacob M. Thomas, 30, Chattaroy, Wash., grand theft, possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia and a concealed weapon. Bond was set at $25,900; he was released on bond on Wednesday.

• Hannah L. Ryckman, 20, Spokane Valley, Wash., possession of stolen property and fraudulently obtained goods, frequenting a place where drugs are used and attempting to conceal/destroy evidence. Bond was set at $20,600; she is 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; he is still in custody.