Metal washers in disguise

Timothy Vaughan Miller pleads guilty to two fraud charges in provincial court

A P.E.I. man pled guilty in provincial court Thursday to trying to defraud the Mount Stewart Irving by paying for items with metal washers disguised as loonies.

Timothy Vaughan Miller also pled guilty to another fraud charge, as well as charges for resisting arrest and failing a breathalyzer while in care and control of a motor vehicle.

Crown attorney Nathan Beck told the court the first fraud charge stemmed back to Nov. 25, 2016, when Miller attempted to defraud the Morell Credit Union.

Miller had deposited an empty envelope into the automated teller in the amount of $888.36 and attempted to make four withdrawals of $200, $100, $60 and then $40.

“None of those attempts were successful,” said Beck.

On Dec. 28, 2016, Miller then attempted to defraud the Mount Stewart Irving, said Beck.

“Mr. Miller came into the store, purchased some lottery tickets and small food items and paid the cashier using what the cashier believed was a $25 roll of loonies,” said Beck.

“Later, (the cashier) opened the roll and discovered it contained one loonie at the front. The remainder of the roll was metal washers.”

Beck said Miller was identified by his licence plate, arrested and released on a promise to appear in court.

Miller was arrested again on April 17 when RCMP received a phone call of a vehicle in the ditch in Dunstaffnage.

Miller was in the driver’s seat when the caller reported the incident to RCMP.

Beck said RCMP could smell liquor when they opened the vehicle’s door and that Miller exhibited signs of impairment.

“He was very unstable on his feet and had to be held up (to keep) from falling,” said Beck.

“He was searched and, after being searched, stated ‘I just want to do one thing’ and turned to Const. Boutillier and pushed him.”

Miller was then wrestled to the ground, with four officers being required to handcuff him.

He was then taken to the RCMP Maypoint detachment and provided two samples showing blood alcohol levels of .230 and .220 milligrams.

He was lodged overnight at the provincial correctional centre.

The Crown stayed charges of assaulting an officer and impaired driving, as well as an additional charge of resisting arrest.

Defence attorney Yolanda Murphy requested a pre-sentencing report and said Miller has been a patient at Hillsborough Hospital since April 28.

“There are addiction and mental health issues present as well as other personal issues in the last few years of Mr. Miller’s life,” said Murphy.

Miller will be sentenced for the four charges on June 22 in Georgetown provincial court.