Thief sentenced for stealing bag of cash

BY KEITH LACEY

A man with more than 50 convictions for property crimes will spend another five months behind bars after admitting to stealing a bag containing $7,000 in cash from a vehicle in downtown Sudbury in January.

Denis Theriault, 53, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property in excess of $5,000 Wednesday at the Sudbury courthouse.

Court heard Theriault has battled schizophrenia most of his adult life, but he does know wrong from right and knows stealing other people's possessions is wrong, said defence counsel Alex Toffoli.

It was revealed a man went inside the downtown YMCA and left a bag containing $7,000 in cash inside the vehicle.

When he returned, the bag and money was missing.

A few hours later, Greater Sudbury Police found Theriault possessing the stolen bag and he was placed under arrest.

Less than $80 was missing and more than $6,900 was recovered by police, said Toffoli.

Theriault is a very unsophisticated man and simply went to a neighbourhood bar, bought a few drinks, gave the bartender a healthy tip and left before he was caught by police, said Toffoli.

A more sophisticated thief could have taken the stolen money and spent it all probably without ever being caught, said Toffoli.

Considering his client's history of petty crime, which has gone on for more than 30 years, the Crown is not being unreasonable in asking for a sentence of five months on top of the one month Theriault has already spent behind bars, said Toffoli.

Justice John Keast said it's fortunate the money was recovered in this case.

Keast told Theriault he understands he suffers from mental health issues, but said that's no excuse for continually breaking the law.

Keast then asked Theriault if he planned on trying to quit his life of petty crime.

Theriault responded he plans on trying to go clean once he gets out of jail.

Theriault politely thanked the judge after Keast handed him the five-month sentence.