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Speedy sentencing takes thief off View Royal streets

View Royal residents have at least 90 days respite from a prolific thief after his arrest and unusually quick sentencing

View Royal residents have at least 90 days respite from a prolific thief after the arrest and unusually quick sentencing of Jonathon Daniel Ross last Thursday.

Victoria’s Regional Crime Unit arrested Ross, 32, in View Royal last after watching him attempt to break into multiple vehicles.

Police watched as Ross entered properties and tried the door handles of parked cars looking for unlocked doors on the 100 block of Cheltenham Street.

Ross, who has a history with similar crimes, was under observation by police because of a rash of thefts occurring from vehicles near where he has been living in View Royal.

At one point Ross went to the front door of a home and looked through a mailbox for uncollected mail.

Ross did not successfully get into any vehicles but police arrested him on the scene for attempted theft and trespassing at night.

Less than 10 hours later Ross pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year’s probation. As a probation condition Ross is also not allowed to be in View Royal.

“I have to say, I’m not sure if I can ever think of a case that moved from arrest to sentencing as quickly as this one,” said RCU Staff Sgt. Gary Schenk. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Most offenders, even for petty cromes, often appear in court multiple times before reaching a point of entering a plea.

It’s unclear what happened in court Thursday to have Ross’s case wrap up so quickly.

Ross has been living in a house in the area where a number of known offenders have been residing, said Schenk. Police have not had grounds to search the house, but are keeping an eye on it and its inhabitants.

“It’s a 90 day sentence, so this individual is out of circulation for that length of time. All by itself, that will probably result in some noticeable improvement in the property crime rates in this vicinity,” Schenk said.

“We’re hoping that will also serve as a bit of deterrent to some of his other associates who are engaged in the same type of criminal activity.”

kwells@goldstreamgazette.com

– With files from Edward Hill,