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Man pleads guilty to 2014 theft of cash and weapons

Sentencing has yet to be set for a man who pleaded guilty to theft of thousands of dollars in 2014.

Sentencing has yet to be set for a man who pleaded guilty to theft of thousands of dollars in 2014.

Christopher Slauenwhite admitted to the theft at Ponoka Provincial Court Friday, March 4 and must now wait for a pre-sentence report. Crown prosecutor Steve Degen told the court that Slauenwhite had entered the home subject to the crime and broken into a safe that stored firearms, including several hand guns and some long guns. There was also a large amount of cash estimated at $25,000 to $30,000 that was missing.

Three pistols, including a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum were also reported missing from the safe while three long guns remained.

Slauenwhite also pleaded guilty to a break and enter to a Ponoka home on June 20, 2015. Degen told the court that Slauenwhite entered the home by kicking open the door and took a few hundred dollars from the home. While he was in the home a resident entered the building and found Slauenwhite who fled the scene. Police were called and later located a fingerprint found to belong to Slauenwhite.

Man ordered not to return to Ponoka

A gas and dash while in possession of a stolen vehicle landed one man in hot water with the law.

Kieran Matthews had already faced some jail time after being in possession of a stolen vehicle with firearms in it, which were also reported stolen. The incident occurred on Dec. 19 after police heard reports that a stolen vehicle out of Calgary was in Ponoka with firearms inside.

Officers located a vehicle with three individuals, none of whom were Matthews. Although they attempted to leave the scene, police stopped them, explained Degen. During the course of the investigation, police determined that Matthews was in another vehicle, also reported stolen that had firearms inside. He was located not long after the investigation began.

Matthews also faced charges of a $55 gas and dash from the Husky gas station in Ponoka on Aug. 19. Matthews was found later that day in Camrose. Duty counsel David Paull said that Matthews is in the process of turning his life around and has no prior record. He explained to Judge William Andreassen that Matthews is getting help from his step father and suggested an order be given to stay away from the three individuals involved in the stolen vehicle case and not to return to Ponoka.

The fact that Matthews has no record was something to consider, said Andreassen, but the possession charges were another issue. “It is serious because it does involve stolen firearms and a stolen vehicle.”

Despite the absence of a previous criminal record, Andreassen suggested the court had to send a message in view of the seriousness of the situation. Matthews was given 46 days in jail and after having served 31 days already, would be given time and a half credit. Andreassen ordered Matthews to pay several victim fine surcharges plus an additional $500 fine for the gas and dash. He also ordered Matthews to pay the $55 as restitution to the Husky gas station.

Matthews was given a 12-month probation and ordered not to be in possession of firearms for five years, to not have contact with the three other individuals and not to return to Ponoka.