MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Smyrna man and an Iowa woman face numerous charges after a stolen U-Haul van was flagged on a Wilson County license plate reader and apprehended.

Mt. Juliet police officers first spotted the van entering Mt. Juliet from Hermitage on Lebanon Road, where they carried out a traffic stop and confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen out of St. Louis on July 18.

After their arrest, one suspect reportedly attempted to destroy evidence of drugs while detained in the back of a police car.

Inside the stolen U-Haul, officers found drugs believed to be methamphetamine, crack cocaine and fentanyl as well as several types of drug paraphernalia. Officials said fraudulent checks totaling over $40,000 were also found, along with fake state IDs and passports displaying the same photos with different names and birthdates.

The 38-year-old man and 37-year-old woman reportedly admitted to possessing the drugs and fake documents, and not returning the U-Haul.

According to MJPD, the pair are charged with multiple counts of identity theft and criminal simulation, motor vehicle theft, Schedule I and II drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession and evidence tampering. One of the suspects was also arrested on a probation violation warrant for meth resale.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/traffic-stop-on-stolen-van-leads-to-discovery-of-fraudulent-documents-drugs-in-mt-juliet/