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Red Deer motorcycle thief goes to prison

A man who stole and crashed a motorcycle sentenced to 19 months

A man who stole and crashed a motorcycle was sentenced to 19 months in prison on Wednesday.

Last June 16, police were called by a homeowner in Red Deer’s west end who said someone was trying to steal his motorcycle. When police arrived, thief and motorcycle were gone.

He was soon spotted nearby but veered off the road to elude police. He eventually crashed near the Collicutt Centre and was arrested. His blood alcohol level was measured at .15, nearly double the legal limit.

Justin Duperron, 29, pleaded guilty to a number of charges in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday, including breaking and entering, flight from police, driving while disqualified, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 and failing to comply with bail conditions.

He also pleaded guilty to the April theft of a pickup truck in Rocky Mountain House and causing $19,000 in damage.

In sentencing, Judge Jim Mitchell said the helmet-less Duperron was lucky to survive the motorcycle crash.

“There are very few minor motorcycle accidents,” he said.

Mitchell said Duperron was well known to police who are “watching you like a hawk.

“Get a job. Get your own stuff. Stop ripping off the community,” Mitchell told him.

Defence lawyer Greg Gordon said Duperron has struggled with alcoholism that has led to mental health issues.

Duperron was given credit for six months in custody, leaving him 13 months left to serve. On release, he will be on probation for two years and prohibited from driving for three years.