Crime spree costs woman year in jail
Bree-Anne Alicia Buhler’s rap sheet was so lengthy, the judge needed a five-minute recess “to do the arithmetic”
A young woman who participated in a two-day crime spree, then continually breached the terms of her bail, will spend the next year in jail.
Bree-Anne Alicia Buhler was sentenced Monday to 270 days for her involvement in three break-and-enters along with an additional 21 days for shoplifting plus multiple 15-day sentences for breaching the conditions of her bail.
In total, the 21-year-old was sentenced by Judge Gail Sinclair to 411 days in prison, minus the 180 days she has already served in pre-trial custody.
Her rap sheet was so lengthy, Sinclair needed to take a fiveminute recess “to do the arithmetic.”
Crown counsel John Swanson said the 21-year-old Buhler, along with friends William Gaddy, 25, and Waylon Faulhafer, 22, participated in three break-and-enters on Jan. 17-18, 2016, in Avola and Clearwater.
The trio first broke into a logging business where they stole several credit cards for fuel. This was followed by a second B&E to a gas station where they stole a laptop, wallet and cash, along with some food and drinks, all totaling $6,000.
The following day they broke into a residence and stole firearms valued at $8,000.
Since that time, Buhler broke curfew multiple times. Police did several random checks in the late evening at her residences in Oliver and Osoyoos, but found she wasn’t present. She had strict conditions to be in her residence between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Other incidents involving Buhler and her friends included shoplifting a bottle of vodka from a supermarket in Scotch Creek. She was also in possession of other people’s personal identification.
Another bizarre incident occurred in March 2015 outside the South Okanagan Hospital in Oliver, shortly after midnight. She was riding in a vehicle in the parking lot and once the driver spotted a police officer, he made a rapid U-turn.
The vehicle was later stopped by police and it was discovered she was in possession of two open bottles of alcohol plus 17 GHB tablets.
Swanson recommended nine months in jail for each of the three break-and-enters.
Her lawyer, James Pennington, felt a reasonable sentence would be seven to eight months total.
“Ms. Buhler is looking to put all of this behind her. She was running around with a crowd that was up to no good,” Pennington said.
“She’s now pulled the wool off that was over here eyes.”
Pennington suggested his client was an accessory in the crime spree and that two others were also involved.
Buhler, who attended via video-conferencing from a women’s jail, did not speak except when she thanked the judge at the conclusion of the hearing. She continually wiped tears from her eyes.
She was supported in court by a friend who Pennington said might be able to provide her with employment once she completes her sentence.
Sinclair noted that the young woman had a previous criminal record “that wasn’t that bad,” until she began her crime spree in 2016.
Matters involving Gaddy and Faulhafer are still before the courts.