K9 Tracks Suspect After Vehicle Stolen in Glenoma, Found in Morton; Three Others Arrested

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Lewis County deputies used a K9 unit to track and arrest a man suspected of stealing a vehicle early Tuesday morning in Glenoma. He was found at a Morton residence where deputies also arrested three other people accused of helping the first suspect. 

Jeremy D. Smathers, 40, of Morton, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle. 

Smathers is being held on $50,000 bail after his preliminary court hearing Wednesday afternoon. 

“He has various aliases and dates of birth associated with his name,” said Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer . 

Superior Court Judge James Lawler imposed $50,000 bail and set Smathers’ next court hearing for March 1.

Amber D. Ditterbrandt, 35, Jacob E. Thompson, 42, and Daryl L. Wright, 55, all of Morton, were all arrested and booked into the jail on suspicion of second-degree rendering criminal assistance. 

At 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, deputies responded to the 100 block of Fisher Road in Glenoma after receiving a report of a recently stolen vehicle a 1988 Toyota pickup.

The vehicle was later located near Kosmos Road, but the driver, Smathers, reportedly fled the scene.

Deputies used a K9 unit to track Smathers to a location in the 1100 block of Davis Lake Road in Morton. 

The three other suspects reportedly refused to comply with police orders. Smathers was eventually located and arrested.