Co-accused in vehicle theft sentenced to two months

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on January 27, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

It took a bit of investigative work, but it wasn’t long before police caught two people with a pickup truck that had been stolen from a northside residence more than a year ago.
One of those people, Kendall Nicole Rowe, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, and possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking.
On the morning of June 15, 2020 a resident called police to report his truck had been stolen sometime overnight. The owner determined a bank card that was in the truck had been used at a westside convenience store, and police reviewed video surveillance footage and discovered a man well known to police had used the card.
Police phoned the suspect but learned little at the time. They were, however, able to get a production order for his phone number and found text messages between himself and another individual, who asked, “are we linking up today, and did you sell the truck?”
The man responded, “got nothing, he didn’t take the truck.”
Crown Prosecutor Bruce Ainscough noted police recovered the truck a few days after it was stolen, after they received a complaint that the truck was parked in a driveway where it didn’t belong.
Police obtained a statement from a witness who described two people he saw driving the truck, and during a subsequent interview with the male suspect, the man identified Rowe as the other person who was with him and jointly in possession of the truck.
Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean said the 26-year-old woman, who has previous convictions for property related offences, has a history of substance abuse, and for several years was addicted to fentanyl and methamphetamine. She also was neglected as a child and suffered from mental and emotional abuse.
Dean pointed out Rowe has applied for college and wants to become a carpenter.
“We truly hope for the best for Miss Rowe, and this is the first step in achieving her goals.”
Rowe was sentenced to two months in jail for possession of, and attempt to sell, the stolen pickup truck. She was also sentenced to one day consecutive for failing to attend court last July. She was, however, given full credit for time she has already spent in remand custody, effectively concluding her sentence.
Rowe’s sentencing does not conclude her criminal matters, however. She is scheduled to return to court Feb. 3 to address numerous charges, including failing to comply with release orders, forcible entry, shoplifting, mischief causing damage, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and assault.

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