REGINA – Light-fingered ways caught up with one Regina man who had been caught stealing from a number of local businesses.
Appearing in Regina Provincial Court via video on July 17, Dakota Schmidt, 21, entered guilty pleas on a number of thefts from stores and three bicycles from people.
The first bike theft occurred two years ago on July 19, 2021 when Schmidt broke the lock on a bicycle near the Saskatchewan Legislative Building - an action caught on surveillance video.
The other two bike thefts happened this year, on June 6 and 8 respectively - one caught on video outside Goodlife Fitness and the other witnessed by a loss prevention officer at WalMart.
Court also heard from further facts presented by the Crown that Schmidt was witnessed stealing a dog pen from Pat’s Pets on April 16 - later confirmed by video.
A string of thefts from Superstore between May 16 and June 17 were also detailed, as was a June 9 incident at Marshalls (headphones) and a June 10 theft from Canadian Tire (battery booster).
In part of his ruling, Judge B. D. Henning ordered Schmidt make restitution for the items stolen - a combined value of $845.12.
Legal Aid noted Schmidt has no employment history and was on social assistance. He’s also been a methamphetamine user since 2020, and the thefts primarily go to feed the addiction.
In a joint submission, the Crown and defence proposed time served, noting the 18 days remand credit, followed by 12 months probation.
Judge Henning accepted the submission, imposing a one day in custody sentence for each charge. With the 18 days of remand credit, this meant time served. The 12-month probation order includes conditions of attending assessment and programming for addictions, plus not attending the businesses where thefts occurred.
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