Man out on bail in shooting case found in crashed stolen car
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IDAHO FALLS — Law enforcement say they found a man out on bail inside a stolen car and showing signs of intoxication.
The Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office were called about an intoxicated driver stuck in a canal bank Monday morning near 73rd South and 15th East. According to a Sheriff’s Office news release, a passerby says they found the car, driven by a man later identified as 24-year-old Austin Blakely. The car was stuck, but Blakely was still trying to drive away.
Idaho Falls officers arrived first and found the crash a-half-mile east of the intersection on a private lane outside of city limits. They detained Blakely until deputies arrived.
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The license plates on the car belonged to another vehicle and person. Someone had also stolen the car on March 17.
Blakely is reported to have told deputies he borrowed the car from his sister and did not know it was stolen. Because police said he sat behind the wheel in the stolen car, they took him to the Bonneville County Jail.
Once at the jail, deputies found a small baggie and a syringe filled with methamphetamine. He was booked on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of meth.
Blakely’s criminal history is extensive. Currently, Blakely was out on bail on several pending criminal cases. Among them, Blakey is expected to enter a plea on a case where he is alleged to have shot a man in Idaho Falls. This year, Blakely also has been facing felony drug, weapon and domestic assault charges in separate cases.
Blakely was to make his initial court appearance on the new charges Tuesday afternoon.
Although Blakely is accused of crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.