An apologetic Cindie E. Stoyles was granted release in order to seek treatment after pleading guilty to 11 charges.
During her court appearance on Tuesday, Oct. 2, Stoyles plead guilty to theft under $5,000 after attempting to steal from Tellier's Guardian Pharmacy last fall.
On Sept. 8, 2017, Bonnyville RCMP were called by the local business about a shoplifter. After being showed video footage of Stoyles and her young son putting about $100 worth of items into her purse without paying, police charged and arrested the now 27-year-old.
Stoyles, who was appearing in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse via CCTV, also plead guilty to two counts of failing to appear in court, as well as failing to comply with an undertaking, possession of break-in instruments, mischief to property, possession of 25 stolen letters, possession of a stolen credit card, and possession of four stolen cheques.
On April 7, local RCMP received a complaint from a resident about a female breaking into a Canada Post mailbox on 48 St.
The caller provided a description of the suspect and truck she had left in.
When officers checked the mailbox they confirmed it had been pried open and that multiple boxes had been accessed.
While patrolling the area, police located Stoyles and the truck described by the witness. A traffic stop was conducted, and during their conversation with the accused, RCMP spotted a red pry-bar and unopened mail.
Stoyles was arrested and the vehicle was searched.
Inside, police found mail belonging to nine different people, break-in instruments, and a stolen Canada Post mail key.
Bonnyville RCMP obtained a search warrant for Stoyles' residence where they located her co-accused Michael Zuberbier, 25 stolen letters, four stolen cheques, and a stolen credit card.
One-week later, Stoyles was arrested for a theft from the local 7-Eleven after store staff called RCMP about a female who had placed several items in her purse and left without paying.
She plead guilty to the offence, adding theft under $5,000 and failing to comply with an undertaking to her criminal record.
Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr was seeking a 90-day sentence in relation to all charges, describing the mail theft as a crime "that affects a large number of people."
According to Stephanie Oleksyn, defence counsel for Stoyles, the mother of three "got mixed up in meth."
"She let herself go down this path, doing things to feed her addiction," Oleksyn described.
Honourable Judge Marilyn White agreed with the joint submission of 90 days in custody.
Stoyles was arrested on Aug. 3 on a warrant, and has remained in custody since.
With the agreement of the Federal Crown prosecutor, Stoyles was released to attend treatment at an Edmonton centre.
The $1,500 no-cash deposit release agreement includes strict conditions. Stoyles must remain at the treatment centre from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days per week, she can't possess or consume drugs or alcohol, stay within the Province of Alberta, not possess any weapons or explosives, only have one cellphone on a monthly contract, and must return to custody if her treatment is terminated, among others.
Stoyles will appear in court Oct. 16 to speak to other unrelated charges.
