2 charged in theft ring

Tim Leeds

Ryan Schaffer and Jesus Soto are in the Hill County jail this morning, facing pending charges on a string of suspected thefts leaving 142 pieces of evidence.

Havre Police Chief Jerry Nystrom said this morning that Havre officers began investigating a report of a car theft received at 1:26 a.m. Friday. The report led to the discovery of five stolen vehicles in Shaffer's and Soto's possession along with a collection of other items reported stolen.

"My hat's off to the officers for doing a wonderful job, being right on top of this," Nystrom added. "It was an outstanding job, outstanding police work."

After receiving a search warrant, the officers found a total — so far — of 142 items of evidence, apparent stolen property, Nystrom said.

Both were in custody this morning on $40,000 bond each awaiting filing of a string of felony and misdemeanor charges.

Nystrom said the evidence includes suspected stolen items including firearms, hand tools, power tools, and motorized tools.

The investigation is ongoing, and will likely take some time to sort everything out, Nystrom said. Some of the items had previously been reported stolen, but not all have been identified, he added.

He urged anyone who has had items stolen but who has not yet filed a police report to do so.

"You never know, some of this might be theirs," Nystrom said.

Ryan Schaffer and Jesus Soto are in the Hill County jail this morning, facing pending charges on a string of suspected thefts leaving 142 pieces of evidence.

Havre Police Chief Jerry Nystrom said this morning that Havre officers began investigating a report of a car theft received at 1:26 a.m. Friday. The report led to the discovery of five stolen vehicles in Shaffer's and Soto's possession along with a collection of other items reported stolen.

"My hat's off to the officers for doing a wonderful job, being right on top of this," Nystrom added. "It was an outstanding job, outstanding police work."

After receiving a search warrant, the officers found a total — so far — of 142 items of evidence, apparent stolen property, Nystrom said.

Both were in custody this morning on $40,000 bond each awaiting filing of a string of felony and misdemeanor charges.

Nystrom said the evidence includes suspected stolen items including firearms, hand tools, power tools, and motorized tools.

The investigation is ongoing, and will likely take some time to sort everything out, Nystrom said. Some of the items had previously been reported stolen, but not all have been identified, he added.

He urged anyone who has had items stolen but who has not yet filed a police report to do so.

"You never know, some of this might be theirs," Nystrom said.