The man charged with ramming into a police cruiser and hitting a local business owner with a U-Haul was denied release from the Edmonton Remand Centre.
Christian Lee Bubar will await sentencing behind bars.
He was denied release on Tuesday, April 2 during his appearance in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse via CCTV.
Bubar is facing 24 charges stemming from multiple incidents, including unauthorized use of a credit card, fraud under $5,000, obtaining or possessing identification for another person, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime, possession of break-in instruments, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer, possession of stolen property, five counts of failing to comply with conditions, break and enter with intent, assault with a weapon, assaulting a police officer, flight from police, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, among others.
Crown prosecutor Tyler MacLean read the circumstances of the offences, starting with an incident from Sept. 7, 2018, where Bonnyville RCMP were contacted by the Lakeland Co-op about multiple individuals using the same credit card to make large purchases.
Police confirmed the owner of the card hadn't bought any of the items themselves, and began a fraud investigation.
Documentation provided to RCMP, in addition to surveillance footage from a Sept. 5, 2018 purchase, revealed Bubar had used the card to buy over $500 worth of items.
On Oct. 25, 2018, Cold Lake RCMP were conducting a residential search warrant in Ardmore. Police arrested the property owner and located multiple stolen items including a side-by-side, a generator, and a license plate.
The items were valued at over $5,000.
The female arrested told police her roommate, Bubar, had brought the items to the residence, linking him to the offence.
Less than a month later, on Nov. 19, 2018, an off-duty RCMP member called the detachment to inform them about a stolen truck pulled over near Glendon.
When police arrived, the female passenger informed officers she and Bubar were headed back from Edmonton when they ran out of gas. Bubar had left to get some.
A black truck approached them, and when asked, Bubar lied to police about his identity.
RCMP confirmed the truck the female was in was stolen and began a search of the vehicle.
Inside, they located three-grams of methamphetamine, grinding tools, stolen chainsaws, and break-in instruments.
Bubar was involved with the law once again on Nov. 27, 2018, when police drove by the town office and saw a car with its hood propped open.
Standing beside the vehicle, that had Saskatchewan plates, was Bubar.
The officer turned around to investigate further, but Bubar and the vehicle were already gone.
Patrols located the accused heading down a back alleyway by Bonnyville Centralized High School.
The plates didn't match the vehicle and neither were registered to Bubar.
RCMP conducted a traffic stop, and Bubar told the officer he had just purchased the vehicle and was headed to get the paperwork.
Bubar couldn't produce a bill of sale and the car was towed.
Further investigation confirmed the car had been stolen.
The most recent offence, which took place on Feb. 27, 2019, involved injuries to a business owner and police officer.
RCMP were called to a business on 56 Ave. in Bonnyville around 11:22 p.m.
The business owner had called because a male and female were attempting to break in.
After the business owner confronted the suspects, they jumped into a U-Haul and fled, striking him in the process.
The U-Haul was seen heading west down Hwy. 28.
An officer attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects didn't pullover.
A pursuit was initiated and Bonnyville RCMP requested the assistance of St. Paul RCMP and Cold Lake Police Dog Services.
The U-Haul stopped at Twp. Rd. 612 and Range Rd. 494, before reversing into a police cruising, causing "massive damage" to the vehicle, and injuring the officer, described MacLean.
The suspect vehicle fled for a little longer before pulling over. A female climbed out of the passenger seat and the U-Haul took off.
While the pursuit continued, some officers pulled over and spoke to the female suspect. She confirmed it was Bubar who was driving the U-Haul.
Bubar continued to flee from police until he hit the ditch and drove off of the road.
He climbed out of the vehicle and ran into the woods.
Police Dog Services were on-scene and continued the track him on foot, locating the accused.
The Crown was opposed on the primary, secondary, and tertiary grounds.
MacLean said there's a "good chance he won't show-up" for court, and is likely to reoffend.
"Bubar isn't capable of following court orders... He shouldn't be released because he's a danger to the community."
Defence counsel Hart Spender believed with a proper release plan in place, Bubar was releasable.
Their suggestion was to allow Bubar to live on a rural property with a friend.
According to Hart, this friend is new to Bubar, and had reached out to him because she had suffered addictions issues herself.
All she wanted to do was help.
"She's relating to him given his difficulties," Hart expressed. "She's a 33-year sober addict."
Regardless of this factor, Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams refused to release Bubar.
"I applaud her for coming and being wiling to stand up for Bubar... He's very lucky to have her here," noted Williams.
However, with his record, it's difficult to grant bail, she added.
"This is a very big hurdle."
Bubar's first offence was in 2006 for armed robbery. He was sentenced to three years and six months in custody.
Since then, he has been convicted of failing to comply with conditions, possessing drugs, possessing stolen property, breaching his conditions, fraud, and possessing a prohibited/restricted weapon, among others.
Bubar's next court appearance is scheduled for April 16.
