Bail hearing on hold for man accused of vehicle theft

Delon Shurtz

lethbridge herald

A Calgary man who was anxious last week to make bail so he wouldn’t have to spend the weekend in custody, will have to spend at least one more week and weekend behind bars before making a bid for freedom.

Eric Christopher Smith, who is accused of breaking into a Lethbridge car dealership earlier this month, had hoped after his arrest last Tuesday to have a bail hearing during his first court appearance the following Thursday.

However, the Crown prosecutor pointed out he needed time to prepare, and the matter was adjourned to Monday for a bail hearing. But it didn’t run then, either.

Defence told court it is waiting to be retained by Legal Aid Alberta, and to receive disclosure from the Crown’s office before running a bail hearing. The matter is now set to return to court next Monday.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man last Tuesday in the area of Stafford Drive and 3 Avenue South, after they noticed a vehicle on the westside bearing a licence plate reported stolen out of Calgary.

Charges were laid in connection with the stolen licence plate, and relating to an incident July 2, 2021, in which a vehicle rammed into a garage bay door at a car dealership in the 2300-block of 5 Avenue North. Once inside the building, a subject stole a 2021 truck valued at $68,000.

Police reported that the vehicle used in the break-in at the car dealership had been stolen hours earlier from a northside home. It was recovered, as was the truck stolen from the dealership, which was bearing the stolen licence plate.

Smith faces three charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000, and single charges of shopbreaking and driving while prohibited.

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