Troy Arnold James Atkinson, 19, was sentenced to 90 days in custody and one year of probation after stealing over $10,000 from the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA).
During his appearance in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 16, Atkinson pled guilty to possession of multiple stolen fuel cards, theft under $5,000, and theft of a motor vehicle.
Local RCMP charged the former volunteer firefighter after receiving a report from the Bonnyville fire department on July 23 about a fuel card being used on more than 35 occasions without permission between July 6 and 23.
Over $10,200 worth of fuel had been stolen.
After gathering video footage from the Co-op Cardlock, the BRFA identified 19-year-old Atkinson as the suspect.
Two days after the report was filed, Atkinson turned himself into police.
He admitted to taking the cards in order to purchase and resell fuel.
"That's essentially an employer/employee theft... It was an extremely high amount," stressed Crown prosecutor Tyler McLean.
Less than a month after the fuel theft, on Aug. 9, Cold Lake RCMP were notified that a 2000 Ford F250 was stolen. It was later located by police abandoned. Atkinson was identified as the suspect through video footage of him repeatedly coming and going from the vehicle as he attempted to "strip it."
"It seems as though the accused intentionally stole a truck out of somebody's driveway... It was unprovoked and a crime of opportunity," McLean detailed.
The Crown was seeking 120 days in custody, a one-year probation, and a $1,000 fine for all charges.
Acting defence counsel Hart Spencer said custody is warranted, even though Atkinson doesn't have a prior criminal record.
He noted, "(Atkinson) expects to enter custody today and serve his sentence."
However, Spencer was seeking less time behind bars.
Spencer told the court Atkinson isn't proud of his actions, that he had fallen into the wrong crowd after losing his job in Fort McMurray, and has full intentions of leaving the area after completing his sentence.
"He had lost his job, he had a girlfriend that was pregnant... He had realized he was associated with the wrong people, using alcohol and drugs... He had a lot of stressors and made some poor decisions."
Atkinson told Honourable Judge Michèle Collinson he realizes that what he did was wrong.
While discussing his sentencing, Collinson touched on the impact vehicle thefts can have on victims.
"They're one of the most valuable assets that a person has," she stressed.
Atkinson was ordered to pay the BRFA a restitution for the fuel costs, serve 90 days in custody, pay a $1,000 fine, and complete a one-year probation.
He is required to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, complete 50 hours of community service, and not be in a vehicle without the registered owner unless it's a commercial vehicle such as public transportation or a taxi.
Once released, Atkinson plans on moving back to Nova Scotia to work and live with family.
Since the incident, "his name has been blacklisted in this community," Spencer described, adding that is one of the reasons he plans on leaving Alberta.
