A Sault Ste. Marie man was "clearly suffering mental health difficulties" during a two-day crime spree last year, a judge heard last week.
The 26-year-old was involved in a series of troubling incidents that traumatized and put others at risk, the Crown said.
He pleaded guilty to six offences — two of which occurred in Thessalon on Dec. 31, 2022 and four on New Year's Day in the Sault. Those crimes include four counts of theft and single counts of mischief and dangerous driving.
As well, the pleaded guilty to breaching a release order on Jan. 11 of this year.
SooToday has chosen not to identify the man due to his struggles with mental illness.
He initially was charged with robbery in connection with a trio of incidents involving a Thessalon gas bar and two Second Line West businesses.
Ontario Court Justice Romuald Kwolek heard that Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a robbery at the Esso station on Lakeside Drive in the town east of here at 8:45 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
A lone male went behind the cashier's counter and demanded money and cigarettes, prosecutor Trent Wilson said.
He took off with $400 in cash, 67 packs of cigarettes and ripped the phone off the wall.
Cameras captured photos of the man.
The photos connected him to an incident the Sault under investigation by city police, the assistant Crown attorney said.
On Jan. 1, the local cops received a complaint about a man wearing no shoes who stole a vehicle from a Terrance Avenue driveway around 5:30 p.m.
The owner noted the culprit had left clear footprints in the snow.
Minutes before this, Sault Area Hospital had contacted police about a patient who had left the hospital.
At 5:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to Domino's Pizza on Second Line West regarding a robbery.
A man entered the store, demanded money and the clerk handed over $50.
The thief drove away in a silver vehicle and his description matched the suspect.
When he was leaving, the robber made a concerning remark, Wilson said.
"I'm ashamed to be doing this," he told the clerk. "I'm going to kill myself."
The clerk asked him not to do that.
Ten minutes later, police received a similar complaint from the Circle K convenience store located at 647 Second Line West.
Again, a man entered the business, this time demanding that the cashier open the safe.
"Do whatever you want to do, call the police," he told the clerk. "I just want money. I won't harm you."
He left with between $120 and $130.
Police viewed the video from that incident and identified the thief.
He was barefoot and wearing a mask, Wilson said.
Shortly after 7 p.m., officers spotted the stolen vehicle in the west end of the city.
The driver raced along numerous streets, making dangerous and erratic moves to evade police, including speeding through a four-way stop at Bush Street and St. Georges Avenue.
He ignored red lights and stop signs, and travelled the wrong way on Andrew and Cathcart streets.
Officers lost sight of him, Wilson said.
He was arrested on Jan. 2.
The Crown and defence lawyer Anthony Orazietti told Kwolek they were jointly recommending a conditional sentence of two years less a day, which the man will serve in the community.
Wilson called the facts troubling.
"An individual clearly suffering mental health difficulties left the hospital in his bare feet when it was cold outside and was conducting himself in a manner that was very, very dangerous."
His actions were traumatizing for the employees — clerks who usually work alone, often at night and are vulnerable, the Crown said.
If he was convicted of robbery for these offences "he would be facing penitentiary time."
The man was in "the throes of a mental health, drug episode but indicated when he is doing these things that he feels bad and has remorse."
That's little comfort for the vehicle owner and store clerks, he told Kwolek.
"I understand he's taking meaningful steps. This is his chance to move forward with his life," Wilson said, adding that if the man comes back before the court the next sentence will be more meaningful than two years less a day.
Orazietti said his client is employed, has tickets to operate heavy equipment and is residing with his father.
"Mental health played a significant role in the incidents that included quite unusual circumstances," the defence said, adding he is undergoing counselling.
The man pleaded to theft not robbery. "There were no threats," Orazietti said.
The accused has a criminal record and was convicted of careless storage and unauthorized possession of a firearm in February 2017 in Thunder Bay.
He served a two-years-less-a-day conditional sentence for those offences.
When he imposed the sentence, Kwolek pointed to the aggravating factors.
The man's driving not only put his own life and others at risk, but he could have injured police officers or people walking along the streets.
The thefts occurred over a short period of time at types of businesses, such as Circle K, where thefts are "fairly prominent in our community."
On the mitigating side, the man has accepted responsibility for his actions and has saved the court a significant amount of time.
His mental health issues also are a factor, Kwolek said, noting he had been admitted to the hospital under the Mental Health Act, which means he was either a danger to himself or others.
He left the hospital during an episode, which reduces his moral culpability, and he also has substance abuse issues.
Noting that the young man is employed, a productive member of society, has family support and is dealing with his mental health issues, the judge called these positive factors.
During the first 12 months (less a day) of his sentence, the man will be under house arrest.
He can only leave his residence for work, medical emergencies and counselling sessions.
As well, he is permitted to be out on Thursdays between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to obtain the necessities of life.
During the second year, he will have a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Throughout the sentence he can have no contact with the victims, must stay away from the three businesses and can't possess any weapons.
Once he's done that time, he will be on probation for three years.