Man who robbed Kamloops liquor store sentenced to two years in jail | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Man who robbed Kamloops liquor store sentenced to two years in jail

KAMLOOPS - A man who robbed a Valleyview liquor store more than four years ago has been sentenced to two years behind bars by a B.C. Supreme Court judge.

Lyle P. Louie, 34, was sentenced today, Feb. 21, by Justice Len Marchand for robbing Big Daddy Liquors store in July 2014.

Louie pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and using an imitation firearm to commit an indictable offence.

On July 14, 2014, Louie entered the Valleyview liquor at around 8:30 p.m. wearing a "not very good" disguise consisting of an obvious copper-coloured wig with a ball cap on top. He placed a bottle of absinthe on the counter and fumbled around with a small handgun before telling the two store clerks to get down on the ground. Louie told one of the clerk's to get up and give him the cash from the register which was approximately $300 to $400, Marchand said.

Marchand said at times Louie would place the gun down on the store counter to jam cartons of cigarettes into his pockets. Louie then told the clerks he would be leaving out the back door but the clerks told him that door was locked and only the manager had a key to access it.

Louie then insisted the clerks exit the store with him through the front door. As all three exited the door, Louie noticed a nearby Tim Hortons restaurant and asked the two clerks to buy him a coffee, Marchand said.

"The clerks declined and reminded him he had just taken $300 to $400 from their store," Marchand said.

Louie took off and the store clerks ran back into the store and called the police by hitting the store's panic alarm.

When police arrived they reviewed the store's security footage and noted areas where Louie touched with his bare hands. Forensic analysis determined the fingerprints matched Louie's. Police also later found a hat, wig, and imitation gun in a nearby garbage can outside of the Tim Hortons.

Marchand said Louie was intoxicated at the time of the offence and also considered various Gladue factors for Louie's sentencing.

Louie has struggled with addiction and also had a hard childhood, Marchand said in his sentencing. Both First Nations communities where Louie's parents are from were heavily impacted by residential schools, Marchand said, which also affected Louie's upbringing.

He is also a single father to a 15-year-old boy and is the main caregiver to his physically disabled mother.

"Mr. Louie is a good person who made a horrible mistake," Marchand said, adding that Louie's performance since being released on bail has been "excellent."

Marchand also recommended Louie have access to culturally appropriate substance abuse counselling while incarcerated and to be placed in an aboriginal healing lodge as early as possible.

Louie will also have to obey probation orders for 18 months including keeping the peace and not to enter or be near Big Daddy Liquors store except for when passing by on the highway in a motor vehicle.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwards or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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