Idaho prisoner faces local charge of auto theft

A man, currently incarcerated in the Idaho State Prison, is accused of stealing his former girlfriend’s car. Shay Andrew Leach, 35, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 13 to felony theft.

According to court records, on March 19, 2022, a woman contacted law enforcement to report the theft of her 2003 Toyota Corolla. The Ronan Police officer who responded learned the woman and Leach had been “seeing each other.”

Leach had told her earlier that he was going to step outside for a minute. Thirty minutes later, he failed to return and the Toyota was missing.

The officer put out an attempt-to-locate on the Toyota, which was equipped with a GPS tracking device. It showed the Toyota on Interstate 90 near St. Regis. A Mineral County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Leach was in the driver’s seat and another woman was in the passenger seat. Leach did not have permission to take the Toyota. The alleged victim had recently purchased it at an auto dealer in Missoula for $10,158.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on July 21. Leach remains in the Idaho State Prison. He made his appearance in District Court in Polson via Zoom.