THUNDER BAY – A Thunder Bay man who stole a vehicle from a driveway last month has been sentenced to four months of jail time.
Eric Cormier, 27, appeared by audio in a Thunder Bay courtroom to plead guilty to one count of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and one breach of probation charge on Thursday, July 16.
On June 19, Thunder Bay police received a 911 call from a woman stating her vehicle had been stolen from her driveway and was witnessed travelling southbound on Ruttan Street. Police spotted the car on Angus Street and when police approached the vehicle they spotted a male in the driver’s seat who was identified as Cormier, according to Crown counsel Stella Vallelunga.
As police demanded for the man to exit the vehicle, the driver attempted to start the car in an attempt to flee from police. Officers then broke the driver’s side window and the man was removed from the vehicle and arrested.
At the time of this incident, Cormier was on a probation order, court heard.
Defence counsel for Cormier, Richard Garrett, told the court his client has struggled with drug addiction issues. Cormier also spoke briefly to address the court and apologize for his actions.
“Drugs have been a big part of my life,” he said on Thursday. “Drugs have ruined a lot going on for me and I am really sorry.”
A joint sentence submission of four months was accepted by Justice Danalyn Mackinnon. Cormier was also granted credit for time he has already served in custody since his arrest.
Following his arrest he will also be placed on a six-month probation period.
