Man jailed for string of thefts

Samuel David Matthews stole high-end items from several stores

A P.E.I. man who stole highend items from several stores, including a coat worth more than $1,000, was sentenced recently to 105 days in jail.

Samuel David Matthews appeared before Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown by video from jail after previously pleading guilty to four counts of theft.

During a previous appearance, the court heard that on Nov. 27, Matthews went to Sporting Intentions where he tried on a Canada Goose parka worth $1,195 and left with it on.

That same day, Matthews went to Canadian Tire where he stole a backpack worth $89.99.

On Nov. 28, he was caught on video and set off an alarm when he stole a $350 coat from Sport Chek.

The court heard Matthews also stole a laptop from Best Buy on Dec. 21 and when the police found him with it, he said he bought it from “some guy”.

On Jan. 20, security video from Princess Auto caught Matthews taking a Honda engine, running across the parking lot and leaving in a truck.

The court heard that when the police stopped the truck later, the driver told them he though Matthews had paid for the engine.

Matthews had a 29-page criminal record and defence lawyer Justin Milne said his client wants to do custody differently this time than he has in the past.

Milne said that if there are any programs that come up while Matthews is in jail, he wants to do them.

In sentencing Matthews,

Orr said he has an unenviable record and he committed substantial thefts.

“These are not low-end thefts,” she said.

Orr also said Matthews needs to work on his addiction unless he wants to keep coming back before the court.

Along with the jail time, Matthews will be on probation for 18 months and must pay $2,485 in restitution.