MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — It was 7:18 a.m. on March 9 when some residents on Lillooet Street West noticed a grey car prowling their alley, with the driver frequently running into backyards before returning to his vehicle.
They called police, who arrived and discovered Myles Joseph Neill sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, which was on private property. However, he fled on foot, prompting officers to call in the K-9 unit, which located the man four blocks away — he suffered a dog bite during the takedown — and arrested him.
Numerous warrants were out for his arrest, while he was also prohibited from driving because of previous infractions, Crown prosecutor Rob Parker said recently in Moose Jaw Provincial Court while reading the facts.
During the investigation, police searched the vehicle and found many items that Neill had stolen, along with 6.1 grams of amphetamines and 0.3 grams of methamphetamines.
A nearby homeowner’s video surveillance system captured Neill breaking into a garage and coming out with a blue bag, evidence that also helped police in their investigation.
Besides these offences, Parker also spoke about other incidents in which Neill was involved during the past six years.
On July 18, 2020, at 7:30 a.m., Neill entered a convenience store on Athabasca Street East, took two sandwiches and a milk carton, stuffed them into his pockets and left without paying.
On April 5, 2017, the courts put the Moose Javian on a discretionary order that prohibited him from possessing weapons, firearms or ammunition for 10 years. However, on Nov. 8, police searched a residence on Athabasca Street East after receiving a call about a break-in. In Neill’s room, they found four 12-gauge shotgun shells contrary to the prohibition order.
During his appearance in court, Neill, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing an illegal substance (two), breaking and entering, obstructing a peace officer (fleeing), driving while prohibited, possessing ammunition (shotgun shells), and theft under $5,000.
He received 150 days in jail — the break-and-enter charge was the most serious — for his offences. However, Parker noted that because Neill had spent 189 actual days in jail since his arrest earlier this year, he would be credited with 284 days. Therefore, he had no time left to serve.
Meanwhile, Neill received a lifetime prohibition on owning or possessing weapons or firearms, was forced to forfeit the shotgun shells and is still banned from driving.
Defence lawyer Estes Fonkalsrud explained that while Neill has a previous criminal record, none of those offences included possessing drugs. The lawyer added that his client was struggling with addiction at the time of these incidents.
Judge Brian Hendrickson accepted the joint submission and agreed to waive the victim surcharge penalty.
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