Criminal who targeted schools refused parole
Implicated in eight break-ins at the University of Waterloo
WATERLOO — A career criminal charged in a break-in spree at Ontario and Quebec colleges and universities — including the University of Waterloo — apparently ran a company from behind bars, the Parole Board of Canada says.
Gerald Nicholls, 55, was arrested in September 2016 and held in custody until sentenced to two years and five months in prison in September 2017.
“It appears that during that period you continued to operate and benefit from an unregistered and undeclared company,” the parole board said last month in denying Nicholls parole.
The type of company was not specified, but he apparently used to work as a graphic designer, according to the Montreal Gazette.
Nicholls, of Laval, Que., was found guilty of 22 break-ins at universities and colleges in Ontario and Quebec from 2012 to 2014. At the Université du Québec in Trois-Rivieres, he cracked a safe and got $66,000.
Nicholls was implicated in eight University of Waterloo break-ins, four in 2012 and four in 2014. Laptop computers were among the goods stolen. Belleville police alleged he took laptops and a camera from Loyalist College. Nicholls was also wanted by Kingston police for breakins at Queen’s University.
Waterloo Regional Police interrogated him in July 2012 about a break-in. He was released after giving a false name, address and date of birth. Regional police issued an arrest warrant for him in late 2014.
“Nicholls is believed to be travelling between Ontario and Quebec and has targeted universities and colleges,” regional police said at the time.
He remained on the run for almost two years.
Nicholls’ latest sentence is his third trip to a penitentiary. His criminal record, which dates back to 1984, includes convictions for assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon.
The parole board made it clear Nicholls has not earned parole.
“Your social reintegration potential is assessed as low,” it said in a report, adding he has “entrenched criminal values.”
“Most of your crimes are planned and premeditated. The board also notes that more often than not, you violate your probationary conditions when released, and also reoffend, in a general disregard for your legal obligations.”
Nicholls enjoys the criminal lifestyle, the board said. His crimes were motivated by “a desire for easy money, instant gratification, excitement and the thrill of committing break-ins. Stealing from others had became your ‘go-to’ method to meet your personal and financial needs, without concern for the impact on your victims.”
Nicholls said he believes he doesn’t need help to change his ways.
“You appear to be relying on magical thinking that your problems can be resolved without effort or change on your part,” the parole board said. “You have acquired few or no tools or strategies to reduce the risk that you present in any real sense.”
The board concluded Nicholls presents “an undue risk to society.”