FILE PHOTO - Thieves just can't stay out of the used tire compound at Penticton Canadian Tire, a Penticton judge observed today.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - A Penticton judge questioned the popularity of a used tire compound at the local Canadian Tire after the accused pleaded guilty to breaking into the compound in court today.

“Why do so many people go in there?” Judge Gale Sinclair asked in open court upon hearing the circumstances of the crime.

David Baresinkoff entered a guilty plea to the charge this afternoon, March 24. Police caught Baresinkoff behind the Penticton Canadian Tire on Jan. 16 with two used tires from the compound.

Crown prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court Baresinkoff set off an alarm after climbing into the fenced compound, sending police to the Railway Street store. Police found a parked van with footprints leading around back of the store, where Baresinkoff was located nearby.

Video evidence showed Baresinkoff removing old tires from the compound, which contained discarded tires and a dumpster.

Froehlich said Baresinkoff had a prior record but no previous conviction for this type of offence, calling the infraction one of a “low end” nature. He said a joint submission had been reached with defence council for a nine month community jail term.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell said his client was on Employment Insurance and working part time. He had suffered a concussion in an accident last year and was a former addict who has been on methadone for the past 10 months.

Judge Sinclair agreed to the joint submission giving Baresinkoff a nine month conditional jail sentence, including four months’ house arrest, and five months under a curfew. He’s also prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs, and is to stay away from Penticton Canadian Tire.

“That compound attracts people like honey attracts flies,” Judge Sinclair observed.

Police have been called to the compound on several occasions, including a Nov. 22, 2015, when they were notified of a man in the compound trying to access the building’s roof.

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