THUNDER BAY – A man who stole around a dozen Xbox games and more than $100 worth of meat products from two different retail stores across the city has been sentenced to 60 days of custody by an Ontario Court Justice on Friday.
Jonah Thomas, 24, appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom to plead guilty to two counts of theft under $5,000, one count of trespassing at night, and three counts of failing to comply with probation orders.
Court heard on Feb. 5, an unknown male, who was later identified as Thomas, walked into Shoppers Drug Mart on Arthur Street and took between five to nine Xbox games worth $30 to 50 each. When staff attempted to approach the male, he pushed staff out of the way and ran out of the store, according to Crown attorney Stella Vallelunga.
Video surveillance was provided to police by store management and the male was later identified as Thomas, who was arrested.
With respect to the trespassing charge, police received a call about two male suspects who were checking vehicle doors in the early morning hours of Feb. 22 on Amethyst Crescent. Thomas was one of the individuals arrested.
On March 9, police responded to a call at Westfort Foods regarding a theft. The loss prevention officer observed a man attempt to steal four packs of steaks by placing them in his jacket.
According to defence counsel, Thomas is schizophrenic and whenever he is off his medication he resorts to impulsive crimes to support his addiction issues. Court also heard Thomas has a strong family support and when he does take his medication, he is successful.
Justice Chantal Brochu accepted the joint sentence submission for Thomas of 60 days. He has already spent 12 days in custody but was granted credit on an enhanced basis of 18 days.
Going forward, he has 42 days left to serve and will also continue on a probation order after serving his sentence.
He must also submit his DNA sample to a national databank.
