Charges in vehicle theft

The two Wisconsin subjects involved in last week’s theft of a vehicle from the parking lot at Mack’s Market are currently being held on cash bonds of $60,000 each, with preliminary hearings scheduled for June 1 in Hot Springs District Court.

Tracey R. Matti-Forsting is charged with felonies of conspiracy to commit wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property, accessory before the fact to wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property, conspiracy to commit theft and accessory before the fact to theft.

Cody M. Wallace is charged with felonies of conspiracy to commit wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property, wrongful receiving, concealing or disposing of property, conspiracy to commit theft and theft. All charges against the pair stem from the May 20 vehicle theft.

According to court documents, on May 20 officers were dispatched with regard to a passenger van from the parking lot. The owner had gone into the store and returned 15-20 minutes later and saw it was missing. However, the owner’s cell phone was still in the vehicle and was “pinged” to determine the van was 18 miles outside Cody on Highway 120 West.

An officer located a vehicle in the lot matching the description of a truck stolen from Worland. Upon viewing security footage, officers saw two subjects — a male and a female — get out of the truck, get in the van and drive southbound on Highway 20 South. Officers later received word from the Park County Sheriff’s Office that the subjects were apprehended.

Upon further investigation, officers estimated the value of the vehicles at $1,000 each. In a police interview, Matti-Forsting said she and Wallace stole a vehicle in Wisconsin and got as far as Worland before they ran out of money. The plan was to steal a truck in Worland, but that vehicle had only a quarter tank of gas.

They talked about pulling into a business parking lot to find another vehicle. Matti-Forsting said Wallace noticed the keys were in the van and decided to take it.