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September 04, 2019 - 7:00 AM
SICAMOUS - A man who allegedly smashed his way into a Sicamous pharmacy and later led police on a high-speed chase has been released from custody.
Samual J. Chapman, born 1985, was charged with one count of break and enter to commit an indictable offence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of property exceeding $5,000 and possession of a firearm in connection to an incident from September 2018.
He’s been in custody since the alleged offences took place nearly 11 months ago. Chapman appeared in Kamloops Supreme court via CCTV Tuesday, Sept. 3. Justice Len Marchand agreed to release Chapman from custody as he awaits his trial in November.
Marchand said Chapman secured placement at a supportive housing facility in the Lower Mainland where he will be released later this week. He will also be equipped with an electronic monitoring device and is required to abstain from alcohol and drugs and must follow house rules at the recovery facility.
“Mr. Chapman has taken significant strides to address the addictions issues that underly his history of criminal offending,” Marchand said.
Chapman is accused of breaking into the Eagle Valley I.D.A Pharmacy in Sicamous on Sept. 25, 2018, by smashing a glass door to gain entry.
“He’s then alleged to have stolen about 120 filled prescriptions valued at $6,000,” Marchand said, adding the accused left the scene in a white Subaru.
Two days later on Sept. 27, 2018, an RCMP officer observed a white Subaru in Salmon Arm. The driver of the vehicle fled at high speed and RCMP pursued.
Ultimately, Chapman was arrested and the vehicle he was driving was found to be stolen from Kelowna. RCMP located a number of prescription bottles, a semi-automatic shotgun, ammunition, crystal meth, a number of break-in tools, a balaclava and gloves inside the vehicle.
Marchand said Chapman was on probation when the alleged offences occurred and had been prohibited from possessing any controlled substance.
Chapman will be released on a $2,000 recognizance with a $1,000 deposit. His next court date will be in early November for jury selection.
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