An accepted joint sentencing recommendation heard the unusual path to racking up criminal convictions for 57-year-old Vincent Jay Lebow. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — An unusual path to a flurry of crimes serves as a warning of the power of drug addiction.

While most offenders typically accumulate criminal convictions prior to middle age, the opposite is true for 57-year-old Vincent Jay Lebow.

His most recent of numerous criminal convictions since 2018 was a theft under $5,000 dollar offence, leading to a guilty plea and non-custodial sentence.

He walked into The Brick on Hammond Bay Rd. on Aug. 15, 2024, and stole a $550 Bose speaker, an agreed statement of facts heard during a sentencing hearing last week in Nanaimo.

“He simply took this speaker and left the store without paying and he was seen walking out the door with the box in hand; that item was never recovered,” Crown counsel’s Leanne Mascolo told court.

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Lebow’s theft wasn’t detected until the following month when an employee returning from vacation noticed missing inventory.

Nanaimo RCMP made a positive identification when in-store surveillance video was submitted to police.

Lebow has numerous convictions for property crimes in Nanaimo, Parksville and Nanoose Bay, typically resulting in short jail sentences or non-custodial sentences.

A recent pre sentence report outlined Lebow’s substance misuse issues and his appreciation for his family’s ongoing support.

Lebow’s lawyer, Stephen Littley, provided an illuminating and unusual background of his client’s past, which is a stark contrast to the vast majority of accused processed through Nanaimo’s judicial system.

Lebow lived a life of priviledge, Littley said, including attending private school and traveling extensively.

The offender enjoyed success with multiple lucrative career ventures, Littley informed court.

Lebow’s descent took hold in 2018 as a resident of Nanaimo’s infamous tent city homeless encampment, which lasted for nearly eight months across from Port Place Shopping Centre.

Vincent Lebow resided in this large homeless encampment, which required a BC Supreme Court injunction to shut down. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

“It shows us that drug addiction can attack anyone, and really that’s what’s happened with Mr. Lebow,” Littley conveyed.

The defence attorney noted Lebow has made attempts, with the support of his family, to formally address his addiction issues at residential treatment facilities.

Court heard Lebow has complied with most recent bail conditions, with no breaches or any new criminal allegations levelled against him.

Judge Brian Harvey had encouraging words of support for Lebow.

“You’ve been a productive member of society for decades…You’ve still got a great deal of life in front of you,” the veteran judge said.

Lebow is in the second week of a 30-day Conditional Sentence Order, featuring an overnight curfew.

One year of probation will follow, which includes counselling provisions deemed suitable by his probation officer.

Lebow resides at a Nanaimo supportive housing complex.

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