A Thompson man has been sentenced to serve 2.5 years for the theft of a vehicle from a Stanley auto shop in March.

Dominick William Eley, 30, entered a change of plea at a hearing in North Central District Count on Aug. 15 to one count of theft-take-$10,000-$50,000, a Class B felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Mountrail County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the owner of an automotive shop reporting the theft of a 2023 Ford F-150 the morning of March 27, 2025.

An employee reported to investigators he saw a man walking toward the shop in the westbound ditch of Highway 2. Approximately two hours later, a welfare check was requested for Eley, who had been arrested for driving under suspension and transported to the Mountrail County Correctional Center (MCCC) the day before. Eley had been released shortly after being booked at 10:39 p.m. on March 26. The New Town Police Department attempted to locate Eley at a hotel in New Town but was unable to find him. Footage of the theft was provided to investigators, who identified Eley as the suspect after a review of his release from the MCCC.

The stolen vehicle was located abandoned on the side of Highway 1804, and returned to the owner after it was searched for evidence. The stolen vehicle was valued at $14,500 according to the affidavit.

District Court Judge Todd Cresap sentenced Eley to serve 2.5 years with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to first serve one year and one day. Eley was given credit for 37 days already served, and ordered to complete two years of supervised probation upon release. He was also assessed $200 in court fines and fees.