ATHABASCA – An Athabasca man involved in a September 2021 break-in where he left his “boots and a briefcase” in man’s shop, won’t learn his sentence until the spring.
Appearing in Athabasca Provincial Court Jan. 16 via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, Aaron Allen Goodwin pleaded guilty to housebreaking with intent, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and failing to attend court, with sentencing put over to March 13 for a pre-sentence report as his lawyer George Isshak said his client is “in jeopardy” of jail time as he also faces a handful of charges in Edmonton. Judge Jeremey Champion, who wasn’t seized to the case, confirmed with Crown prosecutor Anthony Estephan that additional charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of a controlled substance and failing to attend court will be withdrawn at Goodwin’s sentencing hearing.
Estephan told court that around 9:30 a.m., Sept. 21, 2021, Athabasca RCMP received a call that Goodwin had broken into a man’s shop and “was sitting on the side of the road” wearing the victim’s clothing.
Police eventually arrested Goodwin and Estephan said they found 1.6 grams of “what appeared to be methamphetamine” in his pocket, plus a bag with miscellaneous items including the registration for the stolen van found on the victim’s property.
Further RCMP investigation revealed that the homeowner had awoke to find the van on his property, while the door to his shop was open and “a pair of boots and a briefcase” had been left behind — police were able to pin Goodwin to the crime via his fingerprints left at the scene. Finally, Goodwin missed his May 9, 2022, court date in Athabasca.
