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Bridge bust moves through court in record time

The second of two men charged in bridge bust have pleaded guilty
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The two men whose January crime spree prompted the RCMP to send out helicopters, police hounds and ultimately close down the W.R. Bennett bridge for an hour are moving through the courts in record time.

Michael Dennison, 25, pleaded guilty Thursday to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while disqualified and breach of a probation order. Other charges against him were stayed.

He was sentenced to six months in jail for dangerous driving, in addition to 30 days for driving while disqualified and one day for breach of probation. These terms will be served concurrently.

Subtracting time already served, Dennison will be behind bars for another 75 days. He will also have to pay a $500 fine, and will be under a two year driving prohibition.

His partner in crime has yet to be sentenced but he entered a guilty plea earlier this month.

Ryan Regan, 33, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer and assault with a weapon in Kelowna provincial court, March 16. He’s back in court May 11 for a pre-sentence repot.

Dennison and Regan were the focus of a significant police effort after they were pulled over in a stolen Oldsmobile in Penticton Jan. 12, and sped away. They managed to dodge police until they made it to the WR Bennett Bridge, which was shut down for over an hour just after rush hour.

They were arrested, but the incident took its toll, with police reporting at least three vehicles were damaged, including a police car that had its front end smashed in.