A Laramie County woman is facing a felony theft charge after she was reportedly contacted by Sheriff’s Deputies while driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office in the case says that deputies were on patrol in the area of East Prosser Road and Avenue C on November 1. when they observed a vehicle that matched the description of a truck that had been reported stolen.
LCSO officials say that they followed the vehicle which stopped at a private home on East Prosser. A female driver was seen exiting the vehicle and entering the nearby home. According to the affidavit a check of the license plates on the truck returned to a different vehicle. Deputies ultimately confirmed that the truck had been reported stolen using the VIN. Records show that the vehicle had been reported stolen on October 29.
The driver was contacted by investigators who claimed that she had borrowed the vehicle from a friend and had denied knowing that it was stolen. She reportedly took the vehicle after finding the keys inside. She also denied knowing about the incorrect license plates on the vehicle.
Deputies note that a witness, interviewed during the investigation, claimed that they had put the plates on the vehicle at the request of the suspect.
The vehicle was assessed an approximate value of $10,000.
The suspect, identified in Circuit Court documents as Laci Watters, born in 1983, was taken into custody and transported to the Laramie County Detention Center.
During an initial appearance on November 3, bond in the case was reportedly set at $5,000. Watters was charged with a single count of felony Theft which can carry potential penalties of up to 10 years incarceration, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. All of those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges are subject to change following official filings from the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office.
Watters is scheduled for a preliminary hearing this week to see if the charge against her will be bound over to District Court.
