Man Sentenced to Nearly 2 Years for Possessing Stolen Vehicle in 2023

NORFOLK, Va. – Dayend La Upshur, 30, was sentenced on Monday to serve one year and nine months in prison after he pleaded no contest to felony receiving of stolen goods following his arrest for driving a stolen vehicle last year.

On July 12, a Norfolk resident reported to law enforcement that their vehicle was stolen from the 700 block of Redgate Avenue. After 3 a.m. on July 13, Norfolk Police received a FLOCK alert that the vehicle was being driven at the intersection of Brambleton and Colley Avenues. Around 9 p.m. that night, officers received another FLOCK alert on the vehicle and were able to locate it in a parking lot in the 100 block of West Ocean View Avenue. Mr. Upshur was in the driver’s seat and was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time, and officers arrested him. Mr. Upshur is not acquainted with the victim and did not have permission to use the victim’s vehicle.

Mr. Upshur pleaded no contest on Monday to felony receiving of stolen goods, and Judge Everett A. Martin Jr. found Mr. Upshur guilty. After hearing argument from the Commonwealth and Mr. Upshur’s defense counsel, Judge Martin sentenced Mr. Upshur to serve one year and nine months in prison and suspended an additional six months on the condition that Mr. Upshur complete one year of uniform good behavior.

“Once again, the FLOCK system proves its value by giving the police a lead to arrest the right person in the right place,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Thanks to good police work and the responsible use of technology, the victim received his car back, and we have held Mr. Upshur accountable.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Joshua Holder prosecuted Mr. Upshur’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Sean W. Gilley led the investigation.

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