Man hopes to make bail after breaching conditions
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 23, 2024.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
A man for whom an arrest warrant was issued after he breached release conditions and then never showed up for court, is back in custody.
Cole Randall Martin hopes his incarceration will be short-lived, however. During a brief hearing Monday in Lethbridge court of justice, where Martin appeared by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, an agent for his lawyer was granted an adjournment to July 31, ostensibly for a bail hearing.
Martin, who faces two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and single counts of break and enter to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and being disguised with intent, was already released on bail in June and ordered to live with his mother in Rimbey, Alta. His mother had agreed to act as surety for her son, who was also to obey a curfew 24 hours a day.
On July 14, however, the woman was released as surety after she told the judge Martin had left her home to return to Lethbridge. When Martin failed to attend a scheduled court hearing two days later, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was back in custody shortly afterward.
Martin’s charges stem from an incident on March 9 when police responded to a report that a 67-year-old man had been injured during an early morning home invasion. Police learned the man had met a woman online and agreed to meet with her at his home.
When he answered the door, the woman and two masked men, who were armed with a firearm and knife, forced their way into the home. The suspects stole property from the victim, including his wallet and cell phone, struck him in the face with the firearm and cut him with the knife before fleeing in an SUV.
The victim’s bank cards were used at local convenience stores by a man who was recorded on video surveillance and subsequently identified by police. Following further investigation, the woman and the other man were also identified.
On March 11, police found and arrested the woman. A day later the two men were also arrested. One of the men had a black BB handgun and property belonging to the victim.
Donovan James Holmberg, 38, is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of using a stolen credit card, and single counts of break and enter to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, disguised with intent and possession of a firearm while prohibited.
Holmberg’s case was also in court Monday, where an agent for his lawyer said a preliminary hearing may be scheduled when the case returns to court today.
Amber Louise Dunn, 31, is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and single counts of break and enter/commit theft, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and robbery with a firearm. Her matter returns to court on Aug. 7 to confirm if she has applied to the drug treatment court.
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I think you have already demonstrated more than once that you have no respect for the laws or for the conditions for release. These are serious charges . . . you didn’t just shoplift a shirt or steal some food to eat!