Darryl Crane
editor@thegoldenstar.net
A second person involved with the robbery at the Peoples Drug Mart in Golden pleaded guilty during a court appearance in Golden on March 12.
Lucas Holman from Penticton, B.C. was sentenced to two years and nine months for his part in the robbery, as well as another robbery in Princeton on Wednesday Jan. 30, 2013.
Holman and Travis Hutzul, also of Penticton, were arrested without incident on Feb. 22 in a mobile home just outside of Golden.
Evidence related to the robberies was also located during the arrests. The investigation into both robberies was completed by the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP General Investigation Section, the Princeton and Golden RCMP, with investigative support by local forensic units.
Holman appeared in court via video conference, and said during the session that he just wanted to get on with his life.
Holman also apologized to the people who worked at the store, and said he never would have hurt anyone during the robbery.
In this case the Crown attorney argued that Holman should receive a longer sentence than the other defendant, Hutzul, had received because of his legal issues in the past.
Hutzul pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, receiving a sentence of one year in custody per count on Feb. 27 in Invermere.
The Crown attorney had asked for a four-year sentence.
Holman’s attorney said that a two-year sentence would be more appropriate in this case.
It was stated during the hearing that Holman believed he would receive better treatment for his addictions in the federal system.
In the end, Holman was sentenced to a term of two years and nine months for his part in the robberies.
Holman will also have a 10-year Mandatory Prohibition on firearms and a DNA Order as a result of the conclusion of the case.
