Quesnel resident Earl Edward Roper appeared in court this morning (July 17), after having his sentencing date delayed on June 20 to allow him to seek new counsel.
Roper appeared today to consult with his new lawyer, and his case was again rescheduled, as requested by the defense.
Roper’s arraignment date, during which he will enter a plea of guilty or not-guilty, is now set for July 31, 2018.
Roper had been scheduled for sentencing on June 20 for charges related to an RCMP bust on Blackwater Road on Jan. 3, to which he has already entered a guilty plea; however, during his appearance in June his then-lawyer applied to be removed from Roper’s case.
Roper will be allowed to re-enter his plea on July 31 after consultation with his new lawyer.
Roper is charged with possession of stolen property worth more than $5,000; two charges of possessions of stolen goods worth less than $5,000; breach of undertaking; two charges of possession of a firearm without a licence and/or registration; careless use or storage of a firearm; and storage of a firearm contrary to regulation.
Background
After a break-and-enter and theft at a business on Keis Avenue in Quesnel on Jan. 1, 2018, the business owner gave police a tip on Jan. 3, reporting he had information as to where his stolen electronic device may be located.
A press release from the Quesnel RCMP states members of the Quesnel RCMP General Duty and Crime Reduction units went to a residence in the 1700 block of Blackwater Road to follow up on the tip.
They found a stolen trailer parked at the home when they arrived.
Upon entering the house, the officers stated they saw stolen property in plain view.
The RCMP members subsequently arrested some occupants of the home for possession of stolen property.
Once a search warrant was obtained, police stated they searched the property, where they seized the electronic device belonging to the business owner from Keis Avenue, as well as several firearms and other stolen property.
Also accused with Roper for some offences was Steven Gerald Schuk, who was sentenced to one month plus 75 days in jail, and fined $100 in April this year, as well as Angeline L. Hammerstrom, who was found guilty of breach of an undertaking in January 2018 and fined a victim surcharge of $100.
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– with files from Ken Alexander
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