Addict pleads guilty to crime spree
The Crown is seeking a nine-year prison term for a drug-addicted Edmonton man who went on what police called a “major crime spree.”
Jake Wells, 23, earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery with a firearm, break and enter, possession of a stolen vehicle, attempted carjacking, criminal flight from police and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
According to an agreed statement facts, police entered an underground parkade on Whyte Avenue about 12:15 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2015. Officers approached a car in which Wells and a woman were sitting. They suspected he was drinking alcohol.
As the officers approached, Wells accelerated forward, colliding with the rear end of the police cruiser. The car fled the parkade.
The pair drove to a nearby home. Wells got out, carrying an unloaded hunting rifle. They repeatedly rang the doorbell until the homeowner came to the door. Wells pointed the gun at him and demanded his vehicle keys.
The man slammed the door shut and locked it. Wells repeatedly kicked the door before leaving. The pair then went to another nearby home and unsuccessfully tried to break into a garage before driving away.
As police were trying to locate them with the Air 1 helicopter and two K9 units, the couple went into a home where the owners were asleep, took keys to a car and stole the vehicle.
As they were leaving the area, they encountered police. Wells sped away. The vehicle jumped a curb. Wells drove the wrong way down a street to escape and ran red lights at an estimated speed approaching 150 km/h.
The pair then drove to a Mac’s convenience store at 23 Street and 23 Avenue. Wells walked in with the rifle and demanded vehicle keys. When the clerk told him he didn’t have a vehicle, Wells asked for money and cigarettes before driving away.
After heading east of the city on Whitemud Drive, Wells passed another vehicle and then swerved in front of it, forcing it to stop. Wells approached the vehicle, pointing the rifle. The driver ducked and sped off.
Wells continued driving and ultimately lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road at Range Road 223 and Clubhouse Drive in Sherwood Park after an Edmonton police tactical vehicle made contact about 1:10 a.m.
The pair were arrested and police seized a small amount of drugs as well as the unloaded rifle.
Police said 55 police officers, RCMP, canine and tactical units, and the Air 1 helicopter were involved. Crown prosecutor Shivani Naidu-Barrett asked for a nineyear sentence.
Defence lawyer Evan McIntyre conceded the offences were “outrageous and certainly dangerous,” but argued they were “completely uncharacteristic” for Wells, who was addicted to crystal methamphetamine. He suggested a six-year sentence for his “very remorseful” client.
A sentencing decision is scheduled for July 4.