Alert Driver Reporting Suspicious Incident Leads to Stolen Vehicle Recovery

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
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Idaho State Police
District 6
1540 Foote Dr.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

For Immediate Release: 08/01/2023 2:15 p.m.
Direct media inquiries to (208) 528-3400

Alert Driver Reporting Suspicious Incident Leads to Stolen Vehicle Recovery

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers responding to a suspicious incident locate, pursue, and recover a stolen vehicle near Idaho Falls.

At about 3:40 p.m. yesterday, ISP dispatch received the report of a suspicious person near Arco. The caller felt odd when a male approached him in Arco to engage in small talk and then closely followed him in a Toyota Prius on U.S. Highway 20 toward Idaho Falls.

A trooper located the Prius on U.S. 20 outside Idaho Falls, and the vehicle?s registration indicated it was recently stolen from Pocatello. When the trooper initiated a traffic stop, the Prius attempted to flee and reached speeds of 95 in a 70 mph zone. As the driver of the stolen vehicle refused to stop and to keep the public safe, a second trooper set spikes near Old Butte Rd and punctured all four tires. The Prius drove a short distance and stopped at a gas station on Bellin Rd. The male driver was arrested without further incident.

The driver, 41-year-old Derrick Fackrell of Helena, Montana, was transported and booked into the Bonneville County Jail for felony eluding and possessing a stolen vehicle.

"This is a great example of someone seeing something that wasn't normal and calling law enforcement. Anyone can call 911 or use *ISP (*477) from their cell phone," said ISP Captain Chris Weadick of District 6 in Idaho Falls. "People often call because they see criminal activity, and we prioritize responding and investigating. With the public's help, we can successfully intercept criminals."

Troopers recovered the Prius and notified the owner.

No injuries were reported during the incident. It is unknown why Fackrell engaged the 911 caller in conversation or followed him so closely while driving on the highway.

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