PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

August 22, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

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SLCPD Recovers Illegal Drugs, Stolen License Plates During Traffic Stop

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Bike Squad safely arrested a 24-year-old man accused of possessing stolen license plates and a 35-year-old woman accused of possessing illegal drugs.

This investigation started at 11:06 a.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023, when an officer saw a car with a stolen license plate parked near 900 South Concord Street.

Officers found two people inside the car and took Efrain Gomez and Rose Marie Coyt safely into custody.

During the investigation, officers learned the car belonged to Gomez, however the license plate on the car was stolen.

The car was also not registered with the state. During a search of the car, officers found another stolen license plate.

Officers found drug paraphernalia in Coyt’s bag and more than a half a pound of suspected methamphetamine, 12 suspected fentanyl pills, and more than $2,000 in cash.

Officers took Gomez to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and booked him on two counts of theft by receiving stolen property, one count of providing false information to a police officer and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Officers took Coyt to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and booked her on two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Two photos of the items recovered are being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

1 A photo of illegal drugs recovered during a stop (SLCPD photo| August 21, 2023)

2 A photo of illegal drugs, paraphernalia and cash recovered during a stop(SLCPD photo | August 21, 2023)

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