David James Stewart of Edmonton has been sentenced to 50 months in jail for, among other offences, breaking and entering the Colinton General Store and assaulting owner Ernie Chaves, who was hospitalized after falling off the vehicle the accused drove away from the scene on July 20.
Thirty-two-year-old Stewart was arrested July 26 near Perryvale for an unrelated matter, and after an extensive investigation involving four RCMP detachments, including Athabasca and Boyle RCMP, as well as three special sections (Edmonton Forensic Identification, St. Paul Collision Analysis and Edmonton General Investigation Section), he was charged with numerous Criminal Code offences relating to the incident at the Colinton General Store, as well as break, enter and theft at the Grassland Esso, Clyde Fas Gas and Clyde Petro Can stations.
Stewart pled guilty Dec. 19 in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court to charges that included break, enter and theft; arson; possession of stolen property; and aggravated assault. In addition to more than four years in jail, Stewart received a lifetime firearms prohibition.
A dark green 2012 Ford F-350 King Ranch edition pickup truck was stolen form the parking lot of the New Western Inn sometime between 9:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 4 a.m. Dec. 15.
Anyone with information related to the theft is asked to call the Athabasca RCMP at 780-675-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
