A drug addiction caused Dustin Ray Taitinger to use his five-finger discount to obtain objects illegally from several community businesses, actions that will see him spend four months in jail.
Taitinger’s “most serious” product purloinment offence occurred on Oct. 15 at 12:45 a.m. at Schultz Electric, where he and a co-accused entered the business’ secured compound, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker explained in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Nov. 9.
They jumped a chain-link fence and went to a warehouse, where they pried open the door and began removing items, including alcohol, power tools, cellphones and vehicle keys.
Police caught Taitinger in the compound, prompting him to flee on foot, Parker continued. Officers arrested him after a brief chase and transported him to the police headquarters.
“He was co-operative with police after being arrested. He provided a sworn statement admitting to his involvement,” the Crown prosecutor stated, adding police later recovered the stolen items — worth about $5,000 — outside the compound.
A second incident occurred on May 21, when Taitinger entered the Circle K convenience store and took a four-pack of energy drinks worth $15.32, Parker said. A third incident saw him enter the Union Grocery Store on South Hill and steal a pair of sunglasses worth $14.99.
Parker added that these two offences were “relatively low-level shoplifting” incidents.
As part of a joint submission, Taitinger, 30, from Moose Jaw, agreed to plead guilty to one count of breaking into Schulz Electric, two counts of failing to attend court, one count of theft from Circle K and one count of theft from Union Grocery.
In turn, he received a sentence of 120 days in jail on each of the four offences, with each sentence running concurrently — or simultaneously. However, since he spent 27 actual days in custody, the court credited him with 41 days, leaving him to serve 79 days.
Parker pointed out that Taitinger received a 60-day jail sentence the last time he was penalized for his offences. One main reason for the increase here is the escalation to breaking and entering.
Taitinger’s criminal record shows a pattern of property thefts and systemic offences — but no violence — because of his addictions to methamphetamines and fentanyl, explained Legal Aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson. He also understands that he faces more jail time if he returns to court.
“He is in very good spirits,” she continued, mainly because he went through detoxification while on remand and feels better health-wise. Moreover, he wants to take treatment and will do so after his release through the John Howard Society.
Jeanson asked Judge Brian Hendrickson to waive the victim surcharge fee because Taitinger could not pay. Hendrickson agreed to waive the fee, while he also agreed to accept the joint submission.
“The break-and-enter is the most serious of the charges. The other charges are relatively minor … ,” the judge continued. “But unfortunately, Mr. Taitinger’s record is such that there really isn’t any other realistic option other than jail.”
Hendrickson added that he was pleased that Taitinger was in better health after detoxing on remand.
