Penticton shoplifter finds out it doesn’t pay to not pay

PENTICTON – A man who made the mistake of shopping for birthday presents without paying for the goods is out of pocket considerably more than he would have been had he just paid for them following sentencing in Penticton court today.

Shane Richard Oakes, 46, entered guilty pleas to theft under $5,000 and breach charges in Penticton court this morning, Feb. 20.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Vandersluys told court Oakes was observed by a loss prevention officer in the Kelowna Walmart wandering through the electronics section of the store on June 16, 2016. He left the store carrying a set of bluetooth speakers, some DVDs and food items without paying.

On July 14, 2016, he failed to report to  his probation officer following an April 16, 2016 court order.

Vandersluys asked Judge Gale Sinclair to consider a suspended sentence for the theft and seven days for breaching conditions.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell asked the judge to consider two fines of $250 each for the offences. He said his was a former heroin addict who had been clean for a year. He shoplifted the items for his girlfriend’s child’s birthday party, Maxwell told court.

“I made one bad choice and lost everything,” Oakes said of his addiction. “I am very embarrassed by the whole shoplifting thing.”

Judge Sinclair agreed to Maxwell’s request, issuing Oakes a fine totalling $575, which was twice as much as the stolen goods were worth.

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