The man who police say jackknifed a tractor trailer on I-64 in York County last week, causing a three-mile backup, previously used a similar trailer to steal nearly $20,000 in sneakers.
Cortney Lynn Slater, 29, of Reisterstown, Md., was the driver of a tractor-trailer that overturned on I-64 West on June 22. Following the accident, in which he sustained only minor injuries, Virginia State Police charged him with reckless driving.
In September 2016, Slater was charged with using a similar tractor trailer to steal a pallet of sneakers in Howard County, Md., according to a press release from the State Attorney of Howard County. The value of the stolen merchandise was roughly $19,000.
A retail employee unpacked five pallets of New Balance sneakers off Slater’s trailer June 21, 2016, according to the release. While loading the pallets onto another trailer, the employee noticed one was missing.
Slater was ordered by dispatch to return to the terminal. Slater returned — but not before a security manager located Slater’s trailer, tailed him and witnessed Slater unloading the pallet before returning to the site.
Slater was then questioned and confessed a co-worker had offered him $250 to steal the pallet.
Slater pleaded guilty to the theft March 27, 2017 and was subsequently freed on bond. His sentencing was scheduled for May 15, but online court records have not been updated to show sentencing information. Online court records also do not show upcoming hearing dates for the reckless driving charge.
