ELY – An Ely man faces multiple charges from an incident earlier this month when he allegedly entered a home, took car keys and then drove away in the occupant’s vehicle.
Demitri Anthony Stern, 23, faces charges of second-degree burglary and auto theft, both felonies, and a gross misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance, according to a criminal complaint released by the Ely Police Department.
Ely law enforcement investigated a June 3 report that a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox was stolen from a home at 744 Fifth Avenue East.
The homeowners told police that they found a set of keys missing from a hook inside their house and did not give anyone permission to enter their residence or to drive the Equinox.
During the investigation, Ely Police Chief Chad Houde observed a vehicle with New Hampshire license plates parked at the residence.
In the complaint, Houde said he was familiar with the defendant and that he drove a vehicle with New Hampshire license plates. Houde said he contacted Stern, who indicated he “had a breakdown” and that he “panicked and switched vehicles” and was at a Virginia medical facility.
A Virginia police officer later located the missing Equinox in the parking lot of Essentia Medical Clinic in Virginia and located Stern, who was in possession of a black case. According to the complaint, Stern admitted to entering the residence, taking the keys and taking the vehicle.
Upon his arrest, the case was searched and was found to contain less than two grams of a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine.
The burglary charges carry a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and/or $20,000 fine. The vehicle theft charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or $10,000 fine. The drug possession charge carries a maximum penalty of penalty of one year in prison and/or $3,000 fine.