Vauxhallite receives jail time for multiple thefts

In Taber provincial court on April 8, a 34-year-old Vauxhall woman pled guilty to breach of probation, personation with intent, three counts of theft under $5,000, and two counts of failure to comply with an undertaking. Bonnie Lee Bear was sentenced to six months of incarceration by Judge D.G. Redman.

Further charges of possession of stolen property, obstructing a peace officer, driving a motor vehicle with no insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, failure to hold a valid licence, and transporting open liquor were withdrawn by the Crown.

Crown prosecutor Michael Fox read the facts of multiple incidents into the record.

On Oct. 11, 2013 the accused entered a convenience store in Vauxhall and removed an item of clothing, several pairs of sunglasses, and other items and exited the store without payment. Video surveillance of the incident was reviewed by officers of the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP detachment, and Bear was eventually apprehended and charged with the offence.

On the afternoon of Nov. 23, 2013 officers of the Taber Police Service responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver in the community. The vehicle in question was located, and officers initiated a traffic stop. The accused identified herself using a false name in an attempt to conceal her identity. Bear’s real identity was eventually determined, and she was charged with various offences.

On Dec. 10, 2013 the accused failed to report to the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP detachment for fingerprinting, and later on the same date failed to appear in Taber provincial court for a docket appearance. Bear was charged accordingly.

On Jan. 28, 2014 the accused entered a convenience store in Vauxhall from which she was prohibited from entering by court order. Bear then removed an article of clothing as well as a undisclosed number of lottery tickets before exiting the business without payment.

On March 31, 2014 the accused entered a business in Vauxhall and requested to see a number of lottery tickets. Bear then removed the lottery tickets and exited the business without payment. Later on the same date, officers of the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP detachment took the accused into custody following a complaint at a residence. The accused was found to have been consuming alcohol in breach of a court order prohibiting her from purchase, possession or consumption. Bear was charged with various offences.

Prior to sentencing, Fox described Bear’s past criminal history as “extensive”. No victim-fine surcharge was issued.

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