Morning patrol snags gas thief

A man found himself in jail after he was discovered with illegal drugs in a car he was not supposed to be driving.

On Nov. 6, at approximately 10 am, an officer on patrol in Minitonas, observed a vehicle parked and running in front of a business on Main Street. The officer recognized the driver, and was aware that he was prohibited from driving.

As the police vehicle turned around, the suspect vehicle began driving. A traffic stop was initiated, and the suspect vehicle stopped. The driver was arrested without incident and was found to be in possession of cocaine.

Further investigation determined that the driver was responsible for a theft of gas that had occurred on Oct. 3, at a business in Swan River.

Randy Dietz, 31, of Minitonas has been charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Drive While Disqualified
• Theft
• Fail to Comply x2

He was remanded into custody.