Bonnyville woman, 55-year-old Judy Graver, and 16-year old Cold Lake youth appeared at the Bonnyville courthouse to face charges of theft from shoplifting incidents around town.
Judge Kathleen Williams sentenced Judy Graver, who was apprehended by Cold Lake RCMP after a police pursuit on Dec. 22, to 15 days in jail for shoplifting from the Real Canadian Wholesale Club and Tellier's Guardian Pharmacy. Her sentence reflected time served, meaning she was released shortly after sentencing on Jan. 5.
“I've been going through a tough time in the last few months and I apologize for my behaviour,” Graver said after entering a guilty plea to two counts of theft under $5,000. “It's been a very hard experience in (jail), especially over the holidays.
During the evening of Dec. 10, Bonnyville RCMP received a call for service from the Wholesale Club in town. The manager reported that two female customers failed to pay for two shopping carts full of groceries before leaving the store a few minutes earlier at approximately 6:45 p.m. The women left in a grey Pontiac car.
After evading the police for almost two weeks, the two were involved in a chase with Cold Lake RCMP on Dec. 22.
“While on routine patrol, one of our police officers noticed a vehicle driving dangerously. The vehicle failed to stop for police, a pursuit was initiated and concluded on Highway 897, approximately five kilometres south of Highway 55,” said Cold Lake RCMP S/Sgt. Jeremie Landry. “There was no damage to property whatsoever, whether it be RCMP property or public property and no injuries resulted.”
Graver and the youth were found to be driving a stolen car and were arrested at the scene, but Graver's 25-year-old son, Cole Graver, who was determined to be the driver of the vehicle, fled on foot.
Graver was also convicted of a second count of theft from a prior shoplifting incident at Tellier's. On Jan. 30, 2013, at approximately 5 p.m., Graver entered the store and left without paying for two bottles of Heartdrops, worth almost $170.
Williams accepted Graver's guilty plea after a joint submission by Crown and defence counsel, during which the court heard that Graver has a criminal record with a related offence from 2006, for which she received a $500 fine after entering a guilty plea for theft under $5,000.
Defence counsel Jerred Moore told Williams that Graver had made some poor choices after her husband lost his job because of an injury and that she had been laid off as well.
“She indicated she knows it wasn't appropriate,” said Moore. “She made a poor choice to get groceries.”
After Graver entered a guilty plea, the Crown withdrew a possession of stolen property charge pertaining to the Dec. 22 pursuit with Cold Lake RCMP.
The 16-year-old, who is also charged with one count of theft under $5,000 from the Wholesale Club shoplifting episode, had her case adjourned to Jan. 19.
In addition to the jail sentence, Graver was also given a restitution order to pay Tellier's $169.98 and a $100 victim fine surcharge.
The youth cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Cole Graver apprehended
After being at large for almost two weeks, Cole Graver was apprehended by Bonnyville RCMP on Jan. 3 at a residence in town and appeared in court on Jan. 5.
Williams adjourned his case to give him time to make an application for legal aid. He will remain in custody in the meantime, given his significant flight risk.
On Jan. 3 at approximately 10:50 p.m., Bonnyville RCMP received a Crime Stoppers Tip regarding his whereabouts.
Police attended a residence in the town and executed a warrant to enter the residence believing him to be inside. Upon entry two police located two people who stated that he was not in the residence, however, a search of the residence located him hiding from police and he was arrested subsequently.
A 56-year-old male and 16-year-old female were arrested for obstructing the RCMP members. The 56-year-old male was released without charges.
Cole Graver and the 16-year-old female were transported to the Bonnyville RCMP detachment where investigation revealed that both were chargeable for several offences. The 16-year-old female was charged with obstruction, possession of stolen property and failing to comply with conditions; she was released on bail by a Justice of the Peace.
Cole Graver remained in custody after refusing to speak to a Justice of the Peace to appear on charges of possession of stolen property and three charges of failing to comply with conditions along with the charges from his warrant issued by Cold Lake RCMP.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 13 in Cold Lake at 10 a.m.
