Former Nanaimo supportive housing tenant broke in twice, stole credit cards

“Inside the safe were some credit cards and some gift cards. The value of those cards was approximately $2,000,” Mascolo said, noting the items were never recovered.

Staff at Uplands Walk, operated by Pacifica Housing, reported the break-in to Nanaimo RCMP several hours later at 9:30 a.m.

Police used surveillance video to positively identify Randell.

He was later arrested and released on conditions, including not returning to Uplands Walk.

Late on the evening of Dec. 6, surveillance video captured Randell using a screwdriver to pry open an Upland’s Walk exterior door.

Nothing was reported stolen, and the footage suggested Randell did not gain entry.

Mascolo said the unsecured door was not discovered until the morning of Dec. 8.

Uplands Walk, operated by Pacifica Housing, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to its website.

Randell also pleaded guilty to a break-in at Applecross Veterinary Hospital, which had previously cared for his dog.

He unsuccessfully attempted to gain entry to the business during a late-night Boxing Day break-in, shattering a glass window and causing more than $2,000 in damage.

Randell’s lawyer told court his client was trying to get food for his dog.

Lou Shelling said Randell has made progress while in custody at Nanaimo Correctional Centre and is enrolled in the institution’s Guthrie Therapeutic Community.

Shelling said Randell had relapsed into drug addiction, which led to his criminal behaviour.

The offender, who is on social assistance, hopes to reconnect with his five children, court heard.

“I’m just sorry for what I did,” Randell said in a brief statement from the prisoner’s box.

He’s been in custody since May 9.

Randell has an extensive, though sporadic, criminal record, with lengthy gaps between offending.

He has eight break-and-enter convictions on his record, Crown counsel noted.

He has post jail supportive housing arranged in Nanaimo and is scheduled to be released Sept. 6 after receiving credit for time served.

While accepting the joint sentencing submission, judge Chris Churchill said Randell needs to be ready for his transition back into the community.

“You’ll want to use that time very, very productively to prepare for your return to the community. It’s a lot easier to be clean at Guthrie than it is here on the streets of Nanaimo, so you need to prepare for that and have supports,” Churchill said.

Randell was also handed one year of probation.

He pleaded guilty to three charges, while three others were stayed.

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by Ian Holmes

Former Nanaimo supportive housing tenant broke in twice, stole credit cards

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