Garage thieves caught on video in break-in

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 5, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who has a lengthy criminal record for property related offences has been convicted again after breaking into a residential garage nearly three years ago.

Curtis James Carbert pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to charges of shop breaking to commit theft and breaching release conditions, and was sentenced to four months in jail. He will only serve 75 days in custody, however, after being given credit for 45 days he already spent in pre-trial custody.

On Nov. 15, 2019 Carbert and another individual entered an unlocked garage in Coaldale and stole a 2003 VW Jetta and about $5,000 worth of power tools and other items. Unbeknownst to them they were being recorded by video surveillance set up in the garage, and police published still photos of the break in on Facebook and on their own internal network.

Carbert, 42, was recognized by numerous people who saw the photos, including his own probation officer and Lethbridge correctional officers who frequently dealt with the offender.

Although the vehicle was recovered undamaged, the stolen power tools were not recovered, the Crown pointed out.

In relation to his breach charge, on Aug. 10, 2021, while he was on release conditions to not have any contact with a specific woman, Carbert and the woman were caught living in a makeshift tent on property along Scenic Drive South. They were arrested and Carbert was charged with failing to comply with conditions of a release order.

Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre told court her client is homeless, and in 2021 he was severely assaulted by a large group of men, during which he nearly lost one eye and sustained brain damage. When not couch surfing, Carbert lives at the homeless shelter, while he tries to “get his feet under him,” McIntyre added.

“I acknowledge that he does have a lengthier record; I expect what we’re likely seeing here is Mr. Carbert is going to be slowing down on his offending pattern. He hasn’t really accumulated many new charges since.”

Carbert, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, agreed with his lawyer.

“I just want to move forward,” he told the judge. “I’ve definitely stopped the offending.”

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