Man pleads guilty to possession of stolen property

A 26-year-old man who tried to flee from police in a stolen vehicle earlier this year has pleaded guilty to several criminal charges and will likely be sentenced later this year.

Anthony Douglas Johnston pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, flight from a peace officer, driving while prohibited, and possession of a weapon while prohibited from doing so.

Although defence and the Crown submitted to the court an agreed statement of facts outlining the offences, they are not expected to agree on the sentence Johnston should receive. Calgary Lawyer Robin McIntyre told court the Crown is seeking a lengthier jail sentence than she is recommending.

Although the agreed statement of facts was not read aloud in court, police reported they were looking for a stolen Ford Explorer when they noticed it March 20 in the Dairy Queen drive-thru on Mayor Magrath Drive South. Officers blocked the truck from driving away, but it rammed a police vehicle, then drove into the side of an adjacent motel office building.

The driver continued to try to get away, but failed and was arrested. Two passengers in the vehicle were also taken into custody.

Police searched the vehicle and seized a can of bear spray, which is a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code, and found a key to a vehicle previously stolen and recovered the day before.

Damage to the motel and Explorer was estimated at $75,000 to $100,000.

Johnston’s case is not scheduled to be back in court until Nov. 10, which will provide time for the preparation of a Gladue report, a type of presentencing report the court orders when considering a sentence for an offender of aboriginal descent.

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