Mistakenly released accused back in custody
After having tasted freedom for three weeks, an 18-year-old man who was mistakenly released from custody at a Regina courthouse retur ned there Thursday after his re-arrest.
Brandon Richard James Krewenchuk stepped into the glass-enclosed prisoner’s dock at Regina Provincial Court and gazed about as if looking for someone when he appeared briefly on new charges. He is accused of obstructing justice, mischief and of being unlawfully at large.
Crown prosecutor Sonya Guiboche opposed his release, prompting Judge Clifford Toth to ask Krewenchuk if he wanted time to get a lawyer.
“I have a lawyer,” Krewenchuk replied. As Toth ordered him remanded in custody, Krewenchuk indicated he’s already been in remand for the past seven months.
That is, except for the accidental break he received last month.
Police say Krewenchuk was mistakenly released from Regina Provincial Court on Sept. 22. The mistake wasn’t noticed until Oct. 8. The provincial ministry of justice is investigating how the error happened.
Krewenchuk had been on remand pending trial on two charges — of breaking into a residence and committing an assault with a weapon there, and of theft — that are currently before Court of Queen’s Bench.
On Thursday, the provincial justice and corrections ministries declined comment on the matter and its cause. The Opposition NDP’s critic for these portfolios, John Nilson, was travelling, but caucus spokeswoman Erin Morrison said the Opposition is concerned about the length of time between the release and the realization this had happened. She added the caucus needs more information before it can comment further.
Krewenchuk was arrested at 2 a.m. Thursday on the 7000 block of Maple Ridge Drive after Regina police received a complaint of “suspicious activity” in the area. The caller suspected someone was combing through vehicles and also noted a truck driving suspiciously through the neighbourhood, according to police.
Officers and a canine unit went to the area and arrested four people.
According to court documents, Krewenchuk’s original arrest stems from incidents that allegedly occurred in February at a Regina residence.