Lacey man charged with possession of stolen vehicle

A Lacey man has been charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle following an incident last week. 

A Lacey Police Department report states officers responded to call about a sighting of stolen car at 1420 Marvin Road NE on Sept. 24.  Police located a 1997 Honda Accord that had been reported stolen a week earlier. 

Officers contacted the driver, identified as Dillon Jess Odell, 31, who claimed the car was his. He presented paperwork. But investigators noted the bill of sale only showed the seller’s name and there was no information about the buyer. 

During a search of the suspect, officers found a Honda key. Odell stated that the key belonged to the Honda he was driving.

“I attempted to lock and unlock the driver's door with the key found on ODell's person which had negative results. I attempted to start the vehicle with the key, which also had negative results,” a responding officer stated in the report.

The registered owner later arrived at the scene and provided a working key, which successfully unlocked and started the car. The owner also showed a text conversation of the sales transaction between him and the seller. 

Based on the evidence, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Odell for first-degree possession of stolen property and he was booked into Thurston County Corrections Facility. He also had an active warrant at the time of his arrest.