Man gets jail time for stealing truck, shopbreaking

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 27, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A former Ontario man who has a criminal record relating to offences he committed in that province, is racking a number of criminal convictions in Alberta, as well.

Travis Robert Taylor was sentenced Wednesday in Lethbridge court of justice to six months in jail after pleading guilty to charges of theft of a motor vehicle and shopbreaking to commit theft.

Court was told that at about 9:30 p.m. on July 19 of last year the 40-year-old man stole a Ford F350 from rural site along Township Road 212 in the County of Lethbridge near the Town of Raymond. Just over an hour later Taylor went onto a property along Township Road 70 north of the town, broke into a quonset and stole a dirt bike and a set of keys.

Taylor returned to the property and the same quonset some time later, but he was confronted by the owner and fled in the truck he had previously stolen. The landowner followed Taylor and was subsequently able to confirm his identity for police.

Crown Prosecutor James Rouleau pointed out Taylor’s criminal record begins in 2015 and includes offences in Walkerton, Ont. of assault, theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and break and enter.

Lethbridge lawyer Vincent Guinan said his client’s legal problems stem from one source.

“All of his problems are related to drug addiction,” Guinan said.

He said Taylor genuinely want to change his life, and has take steps while in custody to contact a treatment centre to help him address his addiction issues.

Taylor, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, acknowledged his drug addiction and apologized.

“I realize I’ve screwed up in my life,” he said. “I’m trying to make it better now. Drugs took a hold of my life. I realize I’ve gotta change. I can’t do this, my kids need me in their life, so sorry, sorry about everything, I feel real bad.”

Although sentenced to six months in jail, Taylor was credited the equivalent of two months spent in remand custody, leaving four months to serve. Additional charges of trespassing at night, possession of stolen property over $5,000, theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, shopbreaking with intent, and dangerous driving were withdrawn.

Taylor still faces numerous charges in relation to other offences, including housebreaking, flight from police, mischief causing damage, assault with a weapon, resisting a peace officer, drug possession, and careless use of a firearm. He returns to court on those matters Aug. 14.

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