Earl Edward Roper, 46, showed up for court today (Dec. 11) after a warrant was issued for his arrest in October, when he failed to appear for a September court date in Quesnel.
Roper has been in and out of court since January 2018, on charges related to an RCMP bust on Blackwater Road.
Roper was charged with possession of stolen property worth more than $5,000; two charges of possessions of stolen goods worth less than $5,000; 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.
He’s now also facing breach of undertaking charges, for his failure to comply with conditions set by the court. He’s scheduled for trial beginning March 14, 2019, according to B.C. Court Services Online.
Roper will also be in Quesnel Provincial Court on the original stolen property and firearms charges on March 14, 2019 for a preliminary inquiry. The hearing is scheduled to last two days.
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.
Sentencing and ongoing court appearances
Steven Gerald Schuk has already been sentenced in relation to the bust, receiving one month in jail and a fine, plus 18 months’ probation.
READ MORE: Quesnel resident sentenced to time for several offences
Roper, however, has so far not been sentenced and has not been held in custody since his initial Jan. 16, 2018 release, according to B.C. Court Services Online. He failed to show in court in September, resulting in the warrant being issued.
Roper changed lawyers part way through his court appearances this year, which delayed sentencing.
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