A pair of suspects charged in connection with a break-and-enter incident at a rural property east of Boyle March 22 were sentenced in Boyle Provincial Court Sept. 10.
Thirty-seven-year-old Laurie Ann Bell pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine, while 46-year-old Jerry John Burkosky pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property worth over $5,000.
Four other charges against each of the defendants were withdrawn by the Crown, while charges were stayed against a third suspect, 30-year-old Matthew Marler.
A March 25 RCMP press release stated that Athabasca RCMP stopped a 1996 Ford F-250 truck on Highway 2 just south of Athabasca and seized 157 grams of methamphetamine, valued at $22,000.
Boyle RCMP Const. Andrew Deme said in an interview March 31 the incident began at 10 a.m. March 22, when officers responded to a break-and-enter in progress at a rural farm just west of Boyle.
"The truck fled the scene before RCMP arrived," Deme said. "The truck then headed west towards Athabasca, and we called in the Athabasca detachment to help locate the vehicle, which they promptly did."
He added that a car-hauler trailer was attached to the vehicle in question.
"The trailer was later determined to have been stolen just outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan," Deme said.
He added that a further search at the time led to the seizure of 157 grams of Methamphetamine.
During the court proceeding, Crown prosecutor Anna Stuffco said that one gram of methamphetamine was found inside Bell's purse.
Defense lawyer David Keyes said she has a Grade 12 GED, and is currently taking a transition program in Edmonton.
"She has one child, and has dealt with drug addiction for much of her adult life," Keyes said.
Judge Brian Fraser then sentenced her to one day in prison, which he deemed served in full by her court appearance.
Stuffco noted that Burkosky was driving the truck in question at the time of the incident.
"Police determined that the trailer attached was stolen Sept. 11, 2018 out of Saskatoon," she said.
She added that Burkosky has a criminal record for similar offences going back to the late 90's, and has already served just over three months in custody for the incident.
Defense lawyer Patrice Taylor noted that the defendant works in the scrap metal business, and had purchased the vehicle and the trailer from E-Bay.
"At the time they were pulled over, he was giving a ride to the co-accused," Taylor said.
Just before handing down a 146 day sentence, Fraser asked him when he was going to stop playing cops and robbers.
"You are 46 years old," Fraser told the defendant. "Are you trying to become a career criminal?"
Burkosky said he had no plans to do so, and intends to "make changes" in his life.
