Robert Keith Hawkins, 47, was handed a lenient sentence following a damaging robbery at a central Nanaimo jeweller in October 2024. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

conditional sentence

No jail for brazen Nanaimo robbery  

Feb 12, 2026 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — A previously entrenched prolific offender has been spared from a potentially lengthy jail tenure thanks to strong post-offence rehabilitative conduct.  

Robert Keith Hawkins, 47, was handed a 21-month non-custodial sentence, followed by one-year probation in connection to a robbery at Sonny’s Jewellers on Nanaimo’s Bowen Rd. on Oct. 2, 2024. 

Hawkins stole two highly valuable gold rings, worth about $33,000 at the time, while the store’s owner-operator was blasted with pepper spray outside his store.  

Hawkins was sentenced on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Nanaimo Law Courts after he previously pleaded guilty to a trio of charges, led by theft over $5,000. 

Sonny’s Jewellers has been in business for over three decades. Owner-operator Sonny Pham informed the court of the impacts a highly invasive robbery had on him and his family. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Crown Counsel Leanne Mascolo outlined the facts prior to a judge accepting a jointly submitted sentencing recommendation, in which Hawkins and co-accused, James Stoppard and Tamara Prince, created a ruse to pull off the daytime heist. 

Hawkins and Prince went inside the store’s display cases.  

She expressed interest in items, telling owner Sonny Pham that she wanted to take her time before committing to any purchases. 

The pair left, and Hawkins returned on his own for a closer inspection of the rings. 

He stole the high-value items from Pham and ran out, while Pham chased him.  

Co-accused Stoppard was waiting outside the front door and ambushed Pham with pepper spray. 

During the commotion, Pham’s storefront was damaged. 

Hawkins was viewed by multiple witnesses fleeing in a pickup. 

“He was seen hitting the gas and flooring it, leaving that area very quickly, almost coming into contact with civilians,” the Crown’s Leanne Mascolo said. “He was driving down the street in a dangerous manner. This is also observed by some construction personnel in the area.” 

Surveillance footage was used by police and Crown Counsel to corroborate Pham’s and other witnesses’ accounts.  

Hawkins also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, while the getaway truck he used was operated without the owner’s consent, resulting in a charge. 

Stoppard was arrested on site, however. Prince and Hawkins got away, leading to arrest warrants being issued.  

Stoppard was handed 18-months’ probation last spring for assault with a weapon, while Prince was given one year’s probation for her role.  

In mid-December 2024, Hawkins, a prohibited driver, eluded authorities once again by failing to pull over for a general duty Nanaimo RCMP officer after being seen on Selby St.  

Hawkins ignored continuous prompts to stop. Instead, he erratically changed lanes several times without signaling and sped away at high rates of speed. 

The officer elected not to pursue Hawkins for safety reasons, citing high numbers of vehicles in the area.   

Robert Hawkins portrayed in a Nanaimo RCMP mugshot when an arrest warrant was issued for his capture. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)

Victim impact  

Sonny Pham has run his business at the Bowen Centre for over 30 years. 

He provided a powerful impact statement to the court. 

The rings, among his most valuable inventory, were not recovered.  

“On top of the stolen items and the damage to the storefront, my wife and I also lost work time, all of which impacted our livelihood,” he wrote.  

Financial losses and emotional stress profoundly impacted Pham and his family.  

He was anxious, thinking every new customer entering his shop could potentially lead to another devastating crime.  

“My store, my place of pride and safety for over 31 years, now feels unsafe. Every time I enter the store I’m gripped by the fear that something similar will happen again.” 

Pham told NanaimoNewsNOW he wants to forget about what happened and focus on his business as he nears retirement. 

Offender circumstances

Hawkins grew up in Nova Scotia and moved to B.C. in 2010. 

His extensive criminal record led to multiple prison sentences in several provinces, including crimes of violence and property offences. 

“Mr. Hawkins’ record is lengthy, and violent and continuous,’ Crown Counsel Mascolo said. 

Pre-sentence and psychological assessments were done to gain more insight into Hawkins’ background. 

He reported having significant addictions to cocaine and crack cocaine since he was 20-years-old. 

Hawkins had a near-fatal overdose in February 2025 and went back to jail. 

He was in pretrial lockup through mid-July 2025 where Hawkins received in-custody addictions treatment and counselling. 

The offender was granted bail and spent over two months at a Cowichan Valley addiction treatment centre. 

Hawkins left the Cobble Hill institution on Oct. 1 and moved with his girlfriend to the Invermere area in BC’s east Kootenay region, where the pair currently resides. 

Court was told Hawkins has flourished while in custody and released on bail since his near-death experience one year ago. 

He has maintained sobriety and is currently employed at an Invermere hardware store, court was told.

While addressing the court through a video feed from Fairmont, B.C., Hawkins apologized for his conduct, stating his addiction caused him to constantly make poor choices. 

He described himself as “unmanaged” and that he hurt many people in a variety of ways.  

“I knew that if I stayed in Nanaimo when I got out of treatment, I wouldn’t have another fair chance at life. That’s why I just packed up and I left…I’m heavily involved in my recovery and doing everything right.” 

Court was told being unable to drive has been a significant barrier while released on bail, however he was told a two-year driving prohibition would be applied as part of his sentence. 

Hawkins said he intends to pursue future work opportunities in either northern B.C. or Alberta. 

Defence attorney Bryan McPhail told court his client regularly attends support meetings for his addiction issues, as well as counselling. 

McPhail said Hawkins’ commitment to sobriety has changed the entire trajectory of his life. 

Hawkins has an estranged daughter and family connections in Nova Scotia and Alberta. 

“This opportunity is going to give me the change I need, because out here I’m finding the tools I need to succeed,” Hawkins said.   

Sentence 

Escaping a jail sentence is a departure for an offender with Hawkins’ record.

The Crown’s Mascolo acknowledged the recommended non-custodial recommendation was “unusual.” 

His newly applied 21-month conditional sentence order includes an overnight curfew between 10 pm. and 6 a.m., no illicit drugs or alcohol consumption. 

Counselling provisions are also included. 

A year-long probationary term follows the conditional sentence order. 

Provincial court judge Chris Churchill addressed frustration from Hawkins regarding his inability to drive. 

The judge said the sanctions against him are essentially a jail sentence to be served in the community. 

“The conditional sentence order that I’m prepared to impose, in my view, does represent a pretty significant break for you, Mr. Hawkins. It wouldn’t be very difficult with your record and on these facts to send you back to jail for a significant period of time.” 

Judge Churchill said the reports compiled for the court underscored how substance misuse derailed Hawkins’ life. 

He said relapse would undoubtedly have profoundly negative impacts. 

“If you relapse, you’re going to begin another trail of devastation, not only for your life, but for anybody who has ever trusted you, or is around you.” 

Several charges were dropped against Hawkins in exchange for his guilty pleas, including robbery which originally applied for the Sonny’s Jewellers incident. 

Hawkins was ordered to pay $10,000 restitution to Sonny’s Jewellers within five years.  

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