SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A Summerside man was sentenced to two years’ probation for cashing stolen cheques
Roger Joseph Perry, 60, pleaded guilty in provincial court recently, to two counts of using forged documents.
On April 16, 2020, a victim reported to police that he never received a package of cheques from a line of credit.
He figured they must have been stolen because they were getting cashed all over the place, said Crown attorney Lisa Goulden.
Perry was one of the people using them. He cashed eight cheques adding up to $1,100 at Scotiabank and $300 at BMO.
“It appears addictions were driving this behaviour,” said Goulden.
“This seems to be a crime of opportunity,” said defence attorney Thane MacEachern. “He received the cheques from another individual.”
Perry works part-time and helps care for his fiancée at their home and he hasn’t been in trouble since the charges were laid 11 months ago, said MacEachern.
Judge Krista MacKay said, under these particular circumstances, custody was not required. She suspended sentencing, but Perry will spend 24 months on probation and stay away from the other individuals involved in the fraud. Perry must also pay $1,400 in restitution and perform 40 hours of community service.
House arrest for Summerside woman who breached probation
A Summerside woman pleaded guilty, in provincial court recently, to breach of probation.
Johanna Christine Gallant, 35, initially pleaded not guilty to the charge in the fall, but then did not show up for her trial date on Dec. 2.
Rather than maintain her not guilty plea and face a second charge for missing court, Gallant reversed her plea.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced Gallant to a 60-day custodial sentence, during which she must remain inside her home and will be subject to electronic monitoring.
Summerside man tries to crash Christmas parade, lands in jail instead
A Summerside man will spend five days in jail after he was caught trying to get through the barrier at the Summerside Christmas parade.
Shawn Sidney Blake MacMillan, 35, pleaded guilty in provincial court recently, to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police arrived at the parade Nov. 27, 2020, after they received a call about a possible impaired driver.
Officers noticed signs of impairment and MacMillan failed the roadside test. At the station, he provided breath samples of 210 and 220 mg/100ml blood.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced MacMillan to five days in jail and a $2,000 fine. He must also pay $600 in victim surcharges and is prohibited from driving for 12 months.
Prohibited driving sends Tignish man to jail
A Tignish man will spend 10 days in jail after the was found driving while he shouldn’t have been.
Jeff Stewart Hogan, 40, pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited and for missing a court date.
Two additional charges were stayed in exchange for a signed stay away order and financial restitution to the victim of those charges.
At 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 26, Summerside police officers saw Hogan behind the wheel even though he was under a driving prohibition from July 2020, for refusing to provide a breath sample.
Hogan’s prior record includes some other related charges as well as 25 highway traffic charges.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced Hogan to seven days in jail for driving while prohibited and three more for failing to appear in court. Hogan must also pay $200 in victim surcharges and will have a further 18-month driving suspension.
Low-speed dirt bike escape earns probation for North Carleton man
A North Carleton man who evaded police on a dirt bike was sentenced to two years’ probation.
Kenneth Terrence Kale MacAusland, 23, pleaded guilty in provincial court recently, to fleeing police.
On April 18, 2020, at 11 a.m. police got a call about a green dirt bike on the trails in Summerside.
Police located MacAusland on the dirt bike near Harvard Street and asked if he knew he wasn’t allowed to drive it as he does not have a driver’s license.
By way of reply, Crown attorney Lisa Goulden said MacAusland “gave the officer a gesture” before taking off.
“The speeds weren’t excessive, but he was not pulling over for police,” said Goulden.
Police located MacAusland around noon and arrested him. He was released then, but arrested and held on remand for seven days in late December; he was released Jan. 5 and ordered to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
MacKay handed down a suspended sentence, 24 months probation and a 12-month driving prohibition.
Fireball theft sends man to jail
A Prince County man was handed probation for one year for taking a bottle of Fireball from a Summerside liquor store.
Evan Shea Anchikoski, 26, pleaded guilty in provincial court recently to theft under $5,000.
On Dec. 19 around 2:30 p.m., Anchikoski was in the Water Street Liquor Store where he purchased a case of beer but had tucked a bottle of Fireball into his pocket
Staff at the liquor store called police to report the theft.
Police watched the theft on video surveillance and arrested Anchikoski.
“I think addiction is an underlying issue here,” said Crown Attorney John Diamond.
In court, Anchikoski said the theft was an accident and he meant to pay for the whiskey.
“It wasn’t intentional. I apologized and I apologize to the court for wasting everybody’s time,” he said.
Judge Krista MacKay suspended a passing of sentence. Instead, Anchikoski will spend a year on probation and is ordered to get help for addiction. He must also stay away from the Water Street Liquor Store and pay $100 in victims surcharges.
Stolen food lands man in jail
A Prince County man will spend nearly two months in jail for stealing groceries.
Chad James Lloyd DesRoches, 36, pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 and breaching the conditions of his probation.
On Nov. 2, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., DesRoches was spotted in the Summerside Superstore rolling a cart full of groceries out of the store without paying.
Police found him in the WalMart parking lot placing the groceries into a car.
When he was arrested, DesRoches admitted to stealing the items and said it was to support his addiction.
Then, on Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m., police were called to a woman’s apartment where they saw DesRoches outside knocking on a window to get in.
Despite being under a court order to stay away from her, they spent time together almost every day. That day, they had been in an argument and she called the police when he tried to get his coat.
“My primary concern here is that he deals with the underlying issue, which is the addiction, and to stay away from (the woman). She’s probably not a good person to be associated with if that’s who you’re doing drugs with,” said Crown attorney John Diamond.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced DesRoches to 10 days in jail for the theft charge. He must stay away from the Summerside Superstore and pay $384.07 in restitution for the groceries.
DesRoches will spend 45 days in jail for breaching the conditions of probation.
After his release, DesRoches will be on probation for 18 months and must stay away from the woman.
Jail and fine for man caught impaired near pizza restaurant
A Prince County man caught making a pizza stop while driving impaired faces time in jail and a fine.
John Paul Kenneth Rice, 25, pleaded guilty in Summerside provincial court recently to being impaired within two hours of operating a vehicle.
At 7:10 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2020, Summerside police picked up a “be on the look-out” (BOLO) regarding Rice who had just entered Summerside on Central Street.
Officers found Rice’s car at Michaels Pizzeria and spoke to a female passenger who said Rice was the driver and was inside the restaurant.
Officers noticed beer cans all over the floor of the passenger’s side of the car and when Rice came out, he appeared impaired.
Rice failed a roadside screening test and, at the police station, provided two breath samples of 120 mg/100ml blood.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced him to two days in jail and a $1,000 fine. He must also pay a $300 victim surcharge and will be prohibited from driving for 12 months.
Cannabis and crystal meth combine into jail time for Summerside man
A Prince County man was sentenced to 15 days in jail after a joint laced with crystal meth caused a violent outburst.
Jacob Lee Anderson Bulger, 21, pleaded guilty in provincial court recently to mischief, breach of probation and breach of an undertaking.
Bulger was brought to court from custody where is serving a 110-day sentence on another charge.
On Sept. 23, 2020, Bulger’s girlfriend called police after he became violent while smoking cannabis with crystal meth.
Bulger had smashed items in their home with a baseball bat and when she tried to leave, he wouldn’t let her.
The woman refused to make a statement to police because she didn’t want him charged.
Police arrested Bulger under the Mental Health Act and took him to the Prince County Hospital for assessment. Bulger was released into police custody afterwards.
He was released from custody and ordered not to contact the woman, but they were in touch via written letters, and Bulger was charged with violating the release order.
Bulger was on probation at the time of the arrest and was charged with breach of probation for failing to keep the peace.
Crown attorney John Diamond said most of Bulger’s record is driving-related and he has no history of domestic violence charges.
Judge Krista MacKay sentenced Bulger to 10 days in custody for mischief, another 10 days for breach of probation, to be served concurrently. For the breach of an undertaking, he was sentenced to five days in custody to be served consecutively. The total of 15 days will be added to the sentence he is currently serving. He must also stay away from his girlfriend unless he has prior written consent from his probation officer. Bulger will spend 18 months on probation upon his release.
Summerside woman takes items from pet store
A woman who took a leash from a Summerside pet store will be on probation for a year and a half.
Kayla Anne MacMillan, 34, pleaded guilty recently in Summerside provincial court to theft under $5,000 .
On Sept. 24, staff at Global Pet Food saw MacMillan take a leash and leave without paying.
MacMillan was in the store with another person who took a harness.
Judge Krista MacKay suspended a sentence and ordered MacMillan to pay $53.99 in restitution to the store. MacMillan will spend 18 months on probation during which time she is to get help for addictions. She must also stay away from the person she was stealing with.
