Panuke Road resident to serve jjail time for possessing stolen vehicles, tools

A Panuke Road man will serve jail time after pleading guilty to several charges of possessing stolen property and possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Robert Edward Veith, 30, changed his pleas to guilty in January to 10 counts of possession of stolen property valued at less than $5,000 and five counts of possessing stolen property of a value exceeding $5,000. He also changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The 10 counts of possessing stolen property of a value not exceeding $5,000 relate to a Ford truck, four licence plates, a hammer drill, a Milwaukee tool set in a bag, a slim gym set, an air bag, and a cordless drill with another individual’s name on it.

The five counts of possessing stolen property of a value exceeding $5,000 relate to a grey, galvanized 25-foot fifth wheel flatbed trailer, three 2017 Arctic Cat side by sides and a Smart hydraulic tool.

Judge Alan Tufts sentenced Veith to one year in custody followed by one year of probation, to be served concurrently, on each of the charges of possession of stolen property. The court granted forfeiture orders for all offence-related property.

Veith was sentenced to six months in custody to be followed by one year of probation, to be served concurrently, for possessing marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. The court imposed a 10-year firearm prohibition against Veith to begin following his release from custody and granted a DNA order.

Veith committed the offences in Three Mile Plains on July 20, 2016. Another count of possessing a stolen licence plate and a charge of unlawfully producing cannabis marijuana were dismissed on June 12.

A news release issued by the RCMP on July 22, 2016, stated that the Ford truck, flatbed trailer and the three Arctic Cat side-by-side vehicles were stolen from Oakhill Commercial Recreation in Lunenburg County. The value of these items is believed to be in excess of $100,000.

During the course of an investigation, police determined that the truck, trailer and side-by-sides were at a Three Mile Plains residence. Windsor and Lunenburg RCMP members used an RCMP helicopter to conduct aerial surveillance of the area. This resulted in the recovery of the three sideby-side ATV’s and the trailer.