Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
February 21, 2019 - 3:03 PM
KELOWNA - In just over 10 days, Troy Maclennan, armed with a pry bar, managed to steal multiple bikes, cards, rings, watches, and mail. He forced his way into parkades and cars during his brief spree, filling bags and boxes with personal items.
Over a year after he committed these crimes, Maclennan will receive his sentence in Kelowna tomorrow. He appeared in Kelowna court via video today, Feb. 21, for a sentencing hearing on charges stemming from the theft spree in January 2018. Maclennan pled guilty to charges of theft of mail, break and enter, mischief and theft.
Crown lawyer Miho Ogi-Harris laid out the agreed upon facts of the case. On Jan. 17, 2018 video footage showed Maclennan and an unknown woman using a pry bar to force their way into an underground parkade on Bernard Avenue. They were seen running around the parkade with bags and looking into cars. Maclennan was observed cutting the lock on a bike and riding it out of the building.
According to Ogi-Harris, Maclennan and the woman returned to the parkade on Jan. 18 to steal speakers from a vehicle. Security footage showed the pair leaving with several bags and Maclennan was seen riding out of the building with another bike. Maclennan returned to the same parkade one more time on Jan. 26. He broke several car windows to steal personal property and took off with another bike.
Ogi-Harris relayed that on Jan. 21, a representative for a Durnin Road residence building said two men broke into mail boxes and stole several items. Security footage identified one of the suspects as Maclennan. The second man was never identified.
On Jan. 22, Society of Hope, an affordable apartment building on Benvoulin Court, reported a break-in. Two men (one identified as Maclennan) were observed wandering the building and parkade trying door handles.
Maclennan was apprehended on Jan. 27 after police received a report of a man trying to break into vehicles on Ethel Street. Police found Maclennan on Bernard Avenue carrying a box full of mail and personal items. Many of the items were connected with multiple car thefts on Sunset Drive earlier in the day. Officers placed Maclennan under arrest and returned the items to their owners.
Ogi-Harris said Crown is seeking a five-and-a-half year sentence for Maclennan. She noted public safety and deterrence as factors for the heavy sentence. She also submitted victim impact statements from four people, all seniors, who were impacted by Maclennan's actions. They noted a general sense of violation and a wariness to leave their homes after the thefts.
Ogi-Harris noted Maclennan's criminal record, which stretches back to 2009, although it is not extensive. According to court documents, Maclennan has faced charges on mischief and breach of probation, but nothing approached the severity of his 2018 spree.
Michael Patterson, Maclennan's lawyer, didn't try to downplay the seriousness of his client's crimes in his submission.
"Break and enter is a personal crime," he said. "It leaves one feeling vulnerable."
Patterson disagreed with the Crown's suggested sentence, stating that five years was too long. He suggested a sentence of three years in prison, followed by three years probation. He argued this sentence would serve the public goal of deterrence while not excessively punishing Maclennan.
Patterson said his client was diagnosed as clinically depressed, which was a factor in his crime spree. He said Maclennan has sought help in prison and has the support of his family to stay on the right path once he's out of prison.
Maclennan read from a prepared statement as he spoke on his behalf. He apologized to the victims, the court, and his family for his actions. He stated he's struggled with substance problems and suicidal thoughts in the past. He voiced a desire to continue using counselling services in prison and sort himself out.
"I'm thankful for coming to jail," he said. "It probably saved my life."
Judge Lisa Wyatt said she needed time to review the case before issuing her ruling. She scheduled the sentencing for tomorrow, Feb. 22.
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