An escalation of harassment-like behaviour kept Dustin Marshall Hrynyk in custody.
The 27-year-old explained his release plan to Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams during his appearance in Bonnyville court on Tuesday, Sept. 3, however, it wasn't enough to satisfy the court.
Hrynyk, who was denied release from the Edmonton Remand Centre, has been charged with four counts of criminal harassment, two counts of resisting a peace officer, and six counts of breaching conditions.
It was after Hrynyk and his long-time girlfriend went separate ways that his behaviour resulted in his ex contacting the police.
On Feb. 28, a female gave a statement to Cold Lake RCMP noting she feared for her safety.
According to the victim, Hrynyk was constantly trying to contact her even after she told him to leave her alone. In some cases, he would show up to her work, call her consistently, leave her multiple voicemails, and send her text messages.
A few days after reporting to police, the same female contacted RCMP about Hrynyk at her home banging on her front door and demanding to speak to her.
Officers located Hrynyk, who had left the residence shortly after the female made the call.
During his arrest, Hrynyk got into his car and told officers "I'm not arrested for nothin'."
He continued to resist as RCMP removed him from his vehicle and arrested him.
Hrynyk was released on a $1,000 recognizance the following day with conditions not to contact the victim, among others.
Regardless of the rules of his release, Hrynyk continued to harass his ex-girlfriend. She attended the Cold Lake RCMP detachment on May 15 to notify police he had called her repeatedly. She confirmed it was Hrynyk making the calls by answering and listening to the three voicemail messages he left on her phone.
A warrant was issued for Hrynyk's arrest.
On June 13 police received a 911 compliant from a woman calling to report Hrynyk following her around Bonnyville.
Once she called police, Hrynyk left.
Hrynyk wasn't located that day, however on June 19, he was found at his parents' home. He attempted to flee but was ultimately arrested.
The accused was released from custody on a $2,500 recognizance on June 26. His conditions were not to attend her residence, not to be within a certain distance of the complainant, not to possess or consume alcohol or drugs, and to have no contact with the victim.
He breached his conditions on Aug. 19, when he was found outside of the victim's home.
Police were called to her residence after the female reported Hrynyk repeatedly trying to contact her. Officers arrived, found, and arrested Hrynyk.
Inside the centre console of his vehicle officers found a knife, which was another breach of his release conditions.
According to Crown prosecutor Alex Lyn, the victim reported Hrynyk making multiple attempts to contact her, showing up at her work with love notes and coffee, waiting outside of her workplace, messaging her multiple times, and calling her repeatedly.
Lyn described Hrynyk's behaviour as "repeated conduct," that was likely to continue should he be granted release.
The release plan Hrynyk outlined for the court included a $500 cash bail with conditions that he remain under house arrest, have no contact with the complainant, attend treatment and counselling as recommended by his bail supervisor, reside with his parents, not to posses or consume alcohol or drugs, keep the peace, and be of good behaviour.
According to Hrynyk, he has been diagnosed with ADD and PTSD, and has ongoing addictions issues, which he uses to cope with his mental health struggles.
He claimed he was going through a "rough patch" at the time of these accusations, and had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
This was a concern for the Crown, who felt Hrynyk would likely fall back into these behaviours once released from custody.
Lyn said Hrynyk told police he didn't believe he was doing anything wrong.
Williams agreed with the Crown, expressing concerns for the victim's safety should Hrynyk be released from jail.
She felt that based on the information provided, it's clear Hrynyk isn't in control of his behaviour and denied him release from the Edmonton Remand Centre.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 17 in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse.
