Suspect in commercial break-in released

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 26, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 56-year-old Lethbridge man facing nearly a dozen charges in relation to a commercial break-in last month has been released from custody.

Tomas Adams was released Tuesday following a brief bail hearing in Lethbridge provincial court. Although Adams was not required to post any cash, he was released on his promise to pay $1,500 if he breaches any conditions of his release order. Those conditions prohibit him from consuming alcohol and drugs and from possessing weapons, and he must report to the Lethbridge Police Service upon his release, abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day, and reside at the Alpha House homeless shelter.

“I got a bed there,” Adams assured the judge.

Adams, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, is charged with motor vehicle theft, shopbreaking, attempted theft over $5,000, theft over $5,000, mischief causing damage under $5,000, and multiple counts of theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property.

On Sept. 14 police responded to a break-in at a fenced business compound in the 600 block of 30 Street North. A hole had been cut in the fence and about $18,000 worth of tools was stolen from work vehicles in the yard.

Police also investigated the theft of a truck from the 3600 block of 9 Avenue North, which was later recovered. Police believe the truck was used during the break in to the compound. There were also reports of significant damage to a vehicle in the 2800 block of 5 Avenue North and another in the 500 block of 30 Street North.

A suspect was later arrested at a home in the 300 block of 7 A Avenue South, and police recovered stolen property including tools, several catalytic converters and two motorcycles which had been reported stolen earlier from a dealership.

The matter is scheduled to return to court Nov. 8.

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