Sudbury robber still waiting for sentencing
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A Greater Sudbury man armed with knife who robbed a gas station in 2018 and a convenience store in 2019, and who was to have been sentenced in mid-March, will likely now see that happen in the fall.
Jesse Spanish, 33, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice Jan. 8 to two counts of robbery, one count of theft under $5,000, and one count of failing to attend court.
Since lawyers asked for a pre-sentence report and a Gladue report, Spanish was scheduled to be sentenced on March 19. A Gladue report assists a judge with sentencing options involving people of First Nation heritage.
However, that sentencing did not happen due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which essentially shut down Ontario courts. They only recently reopened, but on a limited basis.
Spanish is now scheduled to have his case addressed in assignment court Oct. 14, at which time a date is expected to be set.
On Jan. 8, the court heard that on Nov. 5, 2018, a man wearing a gas mask and hoodie and armed with a knife entered the Petro-Canada gas station on Lorne Street. He left with cash, cigarettes, lighters and energy drinks.
On March 12, 2019, Spanish attended Chris’ Independent Grocer on Lorne Street and attempted to leave without paying for an energy drink. Stopped and arrested, Spanish was also found in possession of grocery items. All told, the value of the items came to $58.11.
Then on April 8, a man with a pillowcase wrapped around his face attempted to enter the same Petro-Canada gas station, but staff did not open the door. The man then went to the nearby Jem Mart convenience store, showed a 10-inch carving knife and told the clerk to fill a blue Coors bag he had brought with him. The man left with a variety of items, including cigarettes, energy drinks, and more than $250 in cash.
The robbery was captured on video surveillance. Spanish was arrested in the area a short time later carrying a blue Coors bag.
A search of Spanish’s residence turned up a gas mask matching the one used in the Petro-Canada robbery.
Spanish is currently out on bail.
hcarmichael@postmedia.com
Twitter: @HaroldCarmichae
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