Break-in nets four month sentence

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 12, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Paul Marples didn’t know it, but while he and another individual were busy breaking into a compound and stealing tools and other items, their every move was being carefully monitored.

On July 11, 2021 Marples and his cohort broke into the compound owned by Canadian Natural Resources in the County of Warner. While they were stealing tools, copper wire and other items, and placing them in their van, they were being watched and recorded by surveillance cameras.

“There was a gentleman watching them do this through the cameras, and driving to that area, calling the police at the same time,” Crown Prosecutor Michael Fox said Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court, where Marples pleaded guilty to one count of breaking into a place other than a house.

Police were able to identify the van and the culprits without a lengthy investigation, and shortly afterward found and arrested them and recovered the stolen property.

Marples, 58, was sentenced to four months in jail, but given credit of 78 days for time he had already spent in remand custody, leaving 42 days on his sentence. Fox pointed out the co-accused previously pleaded guilty to his charges and received six months of house arrest.

Court was told Marples has since moved to the Bow Island area.

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