WESTLOCK — A Westlock man who broke into the Royal Canadian Legion with another suspect in order to steal food will spend the next year and a half on probation.
At the Westlock Court of Justice on June 12, Mark Wildman pleaded guilty two breaking and entering into a building that is not a dwelling house. Two other charges of mischief under $5,000 and possession of break-in instruments were withdrawn.
Justice John Maher sentenced Wildman in line with the joint submission from the Crown and defence to an 18-month suspended sentence with probation.
During this time, he must complete 40 hours of community service and must abide by a number of conditions, such as not attending the Legion in Westlock and attending assessment, counselling and treatment for mental health and addiction as directed by probation.
Food theft
Crown prosecutor Tyrel Taylor said that on Jan. 13, 2024, the Westlock RCMP were called to the Royal Canadian Legion regarding a break-in.
Upon attending the location, the RCMP observed Wildman and another suspect seated inside the building.
The Legion president was present and provided a statement to RCMP. He indicated he had received a call from an employee, who was also present.
Taylor said the employee had been contacted by the alarm company regarding “multiple hits” to their system. She in turn contacted the Legion president and they arrived on the scene together.
Taylor said they opened the door to the Legion and saw the other suspect, who was wearing a blue reflective jacket, walking away from the entrance. The Legion president called out to the man and told him to come back.
While he was walking back, the other suspect “asked if they had found the other guy,” Taylor said. Upon searching the building, the Legion president did indeed find Wildman hiding in a janitor’s closet.
Two grocery bags filled with frozen foods were discovered near the backdoor, which had been removed from the kitchen and downstairs freezer.
Both Wildman and the other suspect were arrested. However, Wildman said the RCMP that he had “dragged” the other man into this situation.
“It’s notable to us that he’s accepted responsibility fairly early on, and was attempting to look out for (the other suspect),” Taylor said.
Defence lawyer Ashlee Kirby said her client, who is 45 years old, has a number of mental health issues, though he has never received a formal diagnosis.
“He has been attempting to get a psychological assessment done; however, there’s been a number of roadblocks. I’m hoping that this probation order will help facilitate that,” she said.
She pointed out that the last conviction on his criminal record was in 2007, and he was also placed on a peace bond in 2018 and was able to abide by all the conditions, so there is a pattern of compliance with court orders.
While break-and-enters are serious crimes, she pointed out that this was not someone’s residence and the two suspects only broke in to steal some food.
“This is a crime where poverty has definitely ... played into it,” she said.
Wildman is still facing a number of charges relating to two other matters, including counts of breaking and entering, mischief and possession of break-in instruments. He will next appear in court on June 26.
