Armed robber avoids jail

A West Kelowna man who brandished a knife and robbed a gas station last year will not be spending time behind bars.

Rene Maurice Petel, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery for holding up a West Kelowna gas station on May 22, 2017.

The lone employee of the store called police at 1:20 a.m. to report the robbery, the court heard Tuesday afternoon.

“The police were advised a male had entered the store with a knife and said, ‘give me your money or else,’ (and) demanded 10s and 20s,” said Judge Cathaline Heinrichs.

The blade on the knife used was about 12 or 15 centimetres long and resembled a dagger, said Heinrichs.

Police in West Kelowna located a suspect matching the description given by the store clerk later that morning. The man identified himself as Rene Petel.

He was found in possession of several $10 and $20 bills and was arrested for armed robbery.

“Immediately at that time, Mr. Petel thanked the officers for arresting him, as he realized he needed to get sober, and he apologized for scaring the clerk in the store,” said Heinrichs.

Petel told the officer where he hid the knife, and it was found near the gas station in the bushes.

Petel was described as having a First Nations background with a longtime difficulty with addiction to drugs and alcohol.

His lawyer emphasized Petel’s efforts toward rehabilitation, including his involvement in Freedom’s Door Kelowna, a recovery program for men.

Crown prosecutor Angela Ross proposed a jail sentence between three and four years, while the defence suggested a suspended sentence would be appropriate in this circumstance.

“When I impose a sentence, the purpose of these strong sentences . . . is to make it very clear that in our society, we will not accept behaviour where people are committing robbery, particularly when they are individuals working late at night, often alone and are more vulnerable,” said Heinrichs.

Heinrichs accepted the defence’s argument for a suspended sentence and imposed a strict threeyear probation period for Petel.

“I do feel these are exceptional circumstances,” she said, referencing Petel’s difficult past and the efforts he appears to be making to improve.

If Petel breaks any of the conditions of his probation during the next three years, he could be facing jail time.