A woman who is three months pregnant and facing drug addiction issues was sentenced to nine months in jail after a spree of thefts and charges that included biting two security guards.
Karli Alisha Vinthers, 22, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including breaking and entering, possessing break-in instruments, theft under $5,000, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and assault.
Vinthers was caught by a loss prevention officer at the Superstore in Penticton leaving with three pop-up tents without paying in May. Vinthers bit the loss prevention officer and fled the parking lot on foot. Video surveillance confirmed Vinthers committed the theft. Vinthers was already on a court order not to attend the Superstore at the time.
On June 22 Vinthers was observed shoplifting at Home Hardware in Penticton. When confronted by the general manager of the store, Vinthers threatened to use bear mace and to stab him. Vinthers punched the man “in his body,” Crown counsel said. and was arrested shortly after the incident by RCMP.
On July 18 around 2 p.m. the manager of the Canadian Tire in Penticton approached Vinthers and told her to leave the store, saying she was not welcome due to previous incidents in the store. Prior to leaving she told the man if he continued to follow her she would “knock him out.”
“I have brass knuckles and bear mace. You better watch yourself buddy. I know what car you drive and I know where you live,” Vinthers told the manager.
Staff at the store eventually escorted Vinthers off the property.
On Sept. 2 a loss prevention officer at the London Drugs in the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre caught Vinthers trying to steal a pack of Sharpie felt markers by concealing them in a plastic bag. Video surveillance confirmed the theft and the store’s security officer confronted Vinthers. She tried to escape and bit the arm of the security officer. Vinthers was arrested when police showed up on the scene.
On Nov. 22 around 8:45 p.m. RCMP received a report from an off-duty officer that two individuals were observed inside the locked tire bin at Canadian Tire in Penticton.
Police reported that they arrived and found Vinthers and co-accused Samuel-Luc Prescott-Perrault inside the previously-locked tire compound. Police located two pairs of bolt cutters inside the compound. Both were arrested by RCMP at that time. Prescott-Perrault has since been released on bail. He is facing charges of breaking and entering, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possessing a break-in instrument. Prescott-Perreault’s matter is set for trial on June 16, 2016.
Judge Greg Koturbash noted that Vinther’s addiction to methamphetamine was a somewhat a mitigating factor for the crimes as they were committed to fuel her drug addiction and not done out of greed.
“What is not mitigating is your resorting to violence,” Koturbash said prior to handing down the sentence.
“Biting the security guards on more than one occasion is extremely aggravating. That kind of conduct is completely unacceptable.”
Koturbash also noted Vinthers was on probation during many of the offences.
Vinthers said she would not return to Penticton upon her release.
“It was just a downward spiral for me. I was getting into nothing but trouble and I want to stay away from the drugs,” Vinthers said. “I don’t want to be in here ever again.”
Vinthers received 12 months probation upon her release and was ordered not to attend the many business where the theft charges originated, as well she was issued no-contact orders for those she assaulted and threatened.