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December 18, 2018 - 7:30 AM
VERNON - A prolific Vernon offender is heading to prison for two months after attempting to steal a dash camera and a first aid kit.
Jessica Collis, 29, appeared in Vernon provincial court yesterday, Dec. 17, via video to plead guilty to charges of theft and possessing an unauthorized non-firearm. She received a sentence of 57 days in prison.
The Crown detailed that on Nov. 25, 2018, at around 7:11 a.m., Vernon RCMP received a report of a woman rummaging through a vehicle on 15 Street. Two officers arrived on the scene and identified and attempted detained Collis. She dropped her bag and fled on foot.
A brief chase ensued until a third officer intervened and apprehended Collis. The officers discovered a dash camera and a first aid kit on Collis' person, which were determined to belong to the vehicle. Officers also found out that Collis was carrying bear spray, which violated the terms of her probation. Collis admitted to taking heroin and methamphetamine before the incident.
Collis was charged with theft under $5,000, wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, possessing an unauthorized non-firearm, and breach of undertaking or recognizance. She pled guilty to these charges. She has been in custody since the arrest.
Collis' lawyer relayed how her client had a difficult adolescence and struggles with addiction. She noted that Collis' early submission of guilty pleas to the charges saved the court time and indicated remorse.
Crown asked for four to five months in prison followed by 18 to 24 months probation, while defense requested two to three months imprisonment with 12-months probation afterwards.
In his decision, Judge Richard Hewson noted the extensive length of Collis' criminal record accrued in a relatively short period of time. According to court records, Collis' earliest offense dates back to February 2017. Since then, she's been found guilty on numerous theft and fraud offenses.
Judge Hewson sentenced Collis to 90 days in prison, subtracting 33 days for credit and levelling a remaining 57 days of actual time in prison along with 18 months probation upon release.
Collis is scheduled to appear in court later this week for an arraignment hearing on an unrelated robbery charge.
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