Commercial break-in trial set for March
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on December 3, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
A 56-year-old Lethbridge man has pleaded not guilty to nearly a dozen criminal charges in relation to a commercial break-in in September.
Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean entered the pleas Friday in Lethbridge provincial court, on behalf of the accused, Tomas Adams, who was not required to attend the brief hearing in front of Judge Eric Brooks. Adams also elected to be tried by a provincial court judge, and the matter was adjourned to the Case Management Office where a one-day trial was scheduled for March 6, 2023.
Adams 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.
Adams was released from remand custody in October, and although he 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. He must also abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day, and reside at the Alpha House homeless shelter on the northside.
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