Gregg Daniel Pete was sentenced after pleading guilty to 14 offences for mainly property crimes in Nanaimo and Campbell River in Sept. and Oct. of 2019. (NanaiomNewsNOW file photo)
troubled past

Man jailed for astonishing crime spree in Nanaimo and Campbell River

Oct 5, 2020 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Re-occurring substance abuse issues led to a 27 month prison sentence for a man involved in a stunning five week crime-wave in two Vancouver Island cities.

Gregg Daniel Pete, 40, learned his sentence Friday, Oct. 2 in provincial court in Nanaimo after pleading guilty to 14 primarily property and driving offences in Nanaimo and Campbell River in 2019.

Pete was depicted in court as a ring leader among several associates during the execution of break-ins at several businesses and stealing numerous vehicles.

The Crown’s Basil McCormick said an after-hours break-in at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Nanaimo on Shenton Rd. was reported to police on Sept. 16, 2019.

A side door was busted through and safe pried open where eleven sets of keys belonging to cars on the lot were stolen. Computer tablets, computer equipment and eight to 10 Garmin GPS units were also taken.

“The estimate to re-key the vehicles was between $500 to $2,000 per vehicle, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. The value of the lost items and lost revenue was estimated to be $21,470. In addition three vehicles were stolen,” McCormick said.

A U-Haul truck stolen the previous morning from nearby Walkers Saw Shop was found by police parked on Wellesly Ave. with six GPS units stolen from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

A Nanaimo Mountie traced a stolen scooter in south Nanaimo to Highview Terr. home on Sept. 18, 2019 where Pete was arrested while in a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The vehicle was searched, turning up two Garmin GPS units, stolen drivers’ licenses, numerous ID, credit cards, financial documents and care cards and GHB, known as the date rape drug.

A sworn statement to the arresting officer revealed Pete had only been in Nanaimo for about a week and came with the intention of committing more lucrative cyber crimes.

Court was told Pete was transferred to the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Victoria but was released just a few days later.

Pete was then charged with several more break-ins, stolen vehicles in early Oct 2019 involving thousands of dollars of valuables.

He broke into a shuttered elementary school in Campbell River, resulting in nearly $3,600 in stolen property and damage.

Pete was also in possession of 25 grams of crystal meth during his crimes in Campbell River.

His lawyer Kelly Bradshaw said her client is Indigenous with three kids who has suffered from substance abuse, featuring crack cocaine, crystal meth and GHB (date rape drug).

She said Pete was been impacted by intergenerational trauma cased by residential schools, noting he had an unsettled childhood and suffered at the hands of a drug addicted and abusive father.

Bradshaw said Pete has taken advantage of a range of addictions programs while in custody for the past year and his progress behind bars has garnered several glowing character references.

“Mr. Pete has done more than many have done while in custody. In his words he’s been working non-stop on personal growth, recovery as well as spiritual balance.” Bradshaw.

Court was told Pete has amassed 37 criminal convictions, 22 of which involving property crimes, but hadn’t served much significant jail time.

He’s had long stretches as a productive member of society while sober, including owning a cleaning company in Campbell River.

Court was told Pete relapsed in July, 2019 after his foster sister committed suicide and girlfriend broke up with him.

An encouraged Judge Brian Harvey is hopeful Pete will turn things around, but warned him to choose the right path.

“It’s my view that he’s clearly at a crossroads in his life….If he cannot get a handle on his drug addiction, his counsel has indicated he’ll spend the rest of his life in custody in installments.”

Pete addressed court by video from the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Victoria, stating he’s embarrassed and appalled by his actions.

Pete apologized to everybody impacted by his behaviour and said he’s entirely focused on being a better person.

“During my self discovery I’ve pledged to break this generational curse and stop addiction in its tracks. I want to be part of the solution, rather than the problem,” Pete said.

Pete will serve another nine months behind bars after a year of pre-trial custody credit was shaved off his sentence.

He was also handed two years probation, a one year driving ban and ordered to pay about $4,100 in fines and restitution.

Several charges originally laid against Pete were dropped by the Crown.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes