Dylan Anthony Choquette

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Homeless West Kelowna man and prolific offender Dylan Anthony Choquette was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, having been charged with shoplifting days after he got out of prison.

An arrest warrant had been issued for the 34-year-old who was due to be at the Kelowna courthouse May 27 on a single charge of stealing from the Dollar Store.

The alleged theft took place March 24, just days after Choquette finished a stint in prison having been convicted for uttering threats at a female cashier at the West Kelowna Petro-Canada gas station.

Choquette, of no fixed address, has a lengthy criminal record for theft, mischief and uttering threats, he's also stolen cars and assaulted police officers. The 34-year-old's criminal record appears to have started as soon as he became an adult.

In 2023, his bad behaviour made headlines when the province took the unusual step of barring him from the welfare office because he'd repeatedly threatened staff.

He once told staff, "I'm going to shoot you girls." On another occasion, he smashed a large wooden plank against the plexiglass demanding his cheque.

In 2022, there were 20 documented incidents involving the Choquette, the following year that number dropped to six.

Last fall, the province tried to make its restraining order permanent but a BC Supreme Court judge refused.

After one incident at the welfare office, Choquette was told the police had been called, but replied: "Go ahead call, they won’t show up or do anything."

And it's not hard to see why he has that attitude.

While Choquette has been a thorn in the side of the welfare office and many businesses in West Kelowna, he's never received a significant sentence for his crimes.

READ MORE: More jail for Kelowna man caught with $300,000 semi-truck full of lumber

Over the years, Choquette has had more than 20 runs-in with the criminal justice system and has been charged multiple times with theft, mischief, resisting arrest and breaching his probation.

However, he's often given sentences of time served, which see him released from custody after pleading guilty.

On March 7, he was given 19 days jail for theft and uttering thefts, having received credit for the time he'd already spent behind bars waiting to go to court.

Days after being released he went and allegedly stole from the dollar store.

Choquette also has another court appearance scheduled for May 29, where he stands accused of theft that took place last New Year's Eve.

The two recent charges have not been proven in court.

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