ESTEVAN - Two of the three men arrested and charged in a recent theft of copper incident pleaded guilty Monday in Estevan Provincial Court.
Bryson Sorvisto, 24, and Martin Fontaine, 59, each pleaded guilty to one count of theft under $5,000 for stealing the copper. They were sentenced to time served for the days in which they were incarcerated, along with 12 months probation. There was no victim surcharge.
Further charges of possession of stolen property, possession of an instrument suitable for breaking into a place or vehicle, and possession of methamphetamine were stayed. Sorvisto was also facing a charge of failing to comply with a release condition, and it was stayed.
The third suspect in the case, Earl Lanz, will have another court appearance on May 2 to speak to his charges. He has been charged with theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property, and possession of an instrument suitable for breaking into a place or vehicle, all under the Criminal Code, as well as possession of methamphetamine under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.
Lanz has also been charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under the CDSA.
All three men are from Edmonton.
Charges against Lanz have not been proven in court.
The EPS said they received a report from a business in early April of suspicious activity around their property. On April 4, another local business called reporting a theft of copper. Police were able to review the circumstances and evidence from both calls and believe the two were connected.
The three men were arrested on April 4 for allegedly trying to sell the stolen property. Estevan patrol members and K9 member responded to a call and were able to take the three men into custody prior to the alleged culprits leaving that business.
