FARGO, N.D. — A Fargo man is facing multiple felony charges after crashing a stolen vehicle containing drugs and a stolen firearm.
37-year-old Justin Thompson is charged with five felonies, including two counts of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, possession of fentanyl, theft of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The incidents began on October 9, when a 2020 Chevy Malibu was reported stolen from the Super 8 Motel on 38th Street North. The victim told police she had left the keys in the trunk and the doors unlocked while she went inside to shower. The vehicle contained two laptops and two Michael Kors purses.
Hotel surveillance footage showed Thompson and another woman, both believed to be homeless, taking the vehicle around 4:34 a.m. The woman reportedly waited in another vehicle while Thompson entered the Malibu. Officers later identified the suspects using booking photos and distinctive features, including a neck tattoo matching the video.
On October 16, a Fargo Police officer responded to a crash at 4302 17th Ave S, finding Thompson unconscious in the driver’s seat. He appeared heavily impaired and was fading in and out of consciousness.
A search of the vehicle revealed a stolen Sig Sauer pistol, 2.57 grams of suspected fentanyl, unprescribed Gabapentin pills, and Methadone with scratched-off labels.
Thompson, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, had three active warrants at the time, including charges for escape, theft from the state penitentiary, and felony charges from Clay County.
He is set to be arraigned on October 20.
