Stolen mini van earns man jail time
By Lethbridge Herald on November 7, 2021.
Delon Shurtz – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – dshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
Getting caught with a stolen mini van has earned a southern Alberta man a stint behind bars.
Police received a report about 7:15 p.m. on July 22 that the vehicle had been stolen from Coalhurst. Police found the van, and their investigation, aided by footprints found at the scene, led them to Tristan Scott Stolk.
Stolk pleaded guilty Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of possession of stolen property over $5,000, and was sentenced to 75 days in jail.
Lethbridge lawyer Vincent Guinan, who joined with the Crown in recommending the custodial sentence, told court Stolk, 20, “developed a horrible addiction” to methamphetamine. That addiction, Guinan explained, can also be blamed for Stolk’s criminal record.
Guinan noted his client is currently serving time in jail for recently resolved offences, and he’s working to resolve federal charges, as well, which include carrying a concealed weapon, resisting a peace officer, and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.
“It is Mr. Stolk’s intention to work with counsel to initiate an application to the drug treatment court,” Guinan said.
If he’s accepted into the court, Stolk will be granted bail on a $500 promise to pay, with conditions, including he live at an approved residence, obey a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day, and not possess any weapons.
He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 16 to speak to his federal charges.
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