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Montana pair caught in stolen car

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | May 27, 2021 1:00 AM

POST FALLS — Police arrested two Montana residents who were reportedly driving a stolen car.

David P. Sleepingbear, 21, of Great Falls, Mont., is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. He is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Braylee C. Dempsey, 19, also of Great Falls, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, a felony, and with providing false information to law enforcement, a misdemeanor.

Post Falls police detained Sleepingbear and Dempsey at a gas station on Tuesday after determining that their vehicle, a Ford Fusion with Montana plates, had been reported stolen.

Dempsey initially identified herself using a fake name, police said, because she was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant out of Montana.

The pair reportedly told police a friend had allowed them to borrow the car.

The registered owner, however, said she did not know Dempsey or Sleepingbear and had not given them permission to use the car.

A search of the vehicle allegedly yielded drug paraphernalia, as well as oxycodone pills that police said were laced with fentanyl.

Police arrested Sleepingbear and Dempsey at the scene.

Judge Timothy Van Valin ordered Wednesday that Sleepingbear be held on $10,000 bail and Dempsey be held on $5,000 bail.

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