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LOGAN — Two have been arrested after a theft investigation led to the discovery of controlled substances and stolen property.
Surveillance video showed two men steal a cargo trailer Aug. 20 containing a snowmobile and rescue equipment from a Forest Service complex in Logan at 200 S. 700 West. Michael Kevin Keller, 31, was identified as the owner of the vehicle seen in the footage. Keller had worked as a firefighter for the Forest Service before moving to Eugene, Ore. and knew how to get into the compound after hours, according to Logan police.
Investigators were able to locate the trailer at the Nibley home of Thomas MacElwee, 30, and obtained a search warrant for the house. A Thursday afternoon search for stolen firefighting equipment yielded 8–10 pounds of marijuana, 6 ounces of crystal meth, cocaine and illegal mushrooms.
A firearm was also located in the home. MacElwee is a restricted person and cannot possess a firearm.
Police said the Forest Service markings had been removed from the trailer, the inside of the trailer had been repainted and the VIN had been altered, making it difficult to identify the trailer. The snowmobile remained missing as of Friday, according to Assistant Chief Jeff Curtis of the Logan Police Department.
MacElwee was booked into the Cache County Jail on suspicion of distribution of meth, mushrooms and cocaine, all first-degree felonies; distribution of marijuana, possession of stolen property and alteration of a Vehicle Identification Number, all second-degree felonies; possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; and possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor.
A warrant was also issued for Keller, who it was believed had traveled back to Oregon. Keller was taken into custody Thursday night on suspicion of theft, a second-degree felony, and is being held for extradition back to Utah.
