Court dates were rescheduled for another two weeks for two local theft suspects in Quesnel provincial court today (July 31).
Earl Edward Roper, who is up on charges in relation to an RCMP bust on Blackwater Road in January 2018, has already had his initial June 20 sentencing date pushed back due to seeking new legal counsel. He has now had his July 31 arraignment, during which he was expected to enter a plea, rescheduled.
He’ll next appear in court Aug. 14, 2018. Roper is not currently being held in custody.
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.
Blackwater Road bust 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.
Bumper to Bumper theft suspect
Unrelated to Roper’s case, Matthew Emmanuel Lucani also appeared in Quesnel provincial court today.
A date for trial or hearing was scheduled to be fixed at the appearance today; however, court was rescheduled to allow the defendant to consult counsel.
Lucani will now also appear in court on Aug. 14. He is currently being held in police custody.
Police responded to an alarm at Bumper to Bumper in the early hours on July 18, where they found the business’ glass door smashed.
Later that morning, at around 9 a.m., patrolling RCMP members found and arrested Lucani.
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