Cottage Grove man charged in stolen car case

A traffic stop led to a criminal charge that a Cottage Grove man was driving around in a stolen vehicle.

Cha L. Lee, 22, is charged in Washington County District Court with receiving stolen property, a felony, following a Sept. 1 traffic stop.

According to the criminal complaint:

Washington County sheriff’s deputies patrolling in Hugo stopped a Honda Prelude that had expired tabs and was reported stolen. The driver, identified as Lee, had a key for the Prelude on a lanyard with other keys that were shaved, allowing them to start a number of vehicles. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly recovered a duffel bag containing tools often used to steal car stereos.

Lee is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 26.

–Scott Wente

Tags: crime and courts, updates, crime