Skip to content

Fourth suspect sentenced in car hopping incident

The fourth and final suspect arrested and charged after a Red Deer “car hopping” escapade has been given a conditional sentence and lost possession of his BB gun after pleading guilty to two of three charges against him in Red Deer youth court on Thursday.

The fourth and final suspect arrested and charged after a Red Deer “car hopping” escapade has been given a conditional sentence and lost possession of his BB gun after pleading guilty to two of three charges against him in Red Deer youth court on Thursday.

Crown prosecutor Ann MacDonald told Judge Jim Hunter that the boy was one of four 17-year-olds arrested by police called to complaints of suspicious activities on Alford Avenue in the early hours of Feb. 17, 2014.

Police were told the boys used a BB gun to shoot out the window of a car parked on the street, and then took a speaker box and amplifier from the car. Police apprehended and charged four youths found running along 40th Avenue.

Charges included theft, mischief and possession of break-in tools.

Court heard that the boy who owned the BB gun came to Red Deer from Blackfalds and had been drinking with the others when they began investigating the contents of vehicles parked along the street.

Defence counsel Glyn Walters characterized his client’s behaviour as “irresponsible and stupid,” stating that he agreed with the Crown’s recommendation that the boy be given the same sentence as was passed previously on his three companions.

Noting that the boy had no criminal history, Hunter gave him a conditional sentence including 12 months of probation, forfeiture of the gun and 20 hours of community service. Charges will be withdrawn if he successfully meets the terms of his probation.