A 38-year-old Prince George man pleaded guilty May 12 to stealing all-terrain vehicles from the Canfor Mill in Mackenzie more than two years ago.
In Prince George Provincial Court, Associate Chief Judge Paul Dohm heard that a mill employee called RCMP after the incident on April 25, 2023. Surveillance footage showed a man smoking a cigarette. The butt was recovered from the scene, tested and matched Christopher Ross Dunk’s DNA. An officer found two ATVs four days later at Dusty Trail Riders in Prince George after a report that someone was cutting the locks off gates.
Dunk was sentenced to time served for that offence, but received a year in jail and six months of living under 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew after pleading guilty during the same session to two counts of possessing stolen property over $5,000.
An officer investigating multiple thefts on Highway 16 near Westgate Avenue at 3 a.m. on July 23, 2023, noticed a black Dodge pickup truck towing a white cargo trailer speeding eastbound.
The vehicle turned into the Treasure Cove Casino parking lot, then sped away.
An RCMP drone was eventually deployed to find the truck and trailer. An officer saw an ATV drive away from him in an industrial area and a police dog was needed to find Dunk, who sustained bites on both legs and a bloodied face in the takedown.
Crown prosecutor Astitwa Thapa proposed a total penalty of 791 days in jail and 180 days in the community, under curfew. Dunk received 426 days credit for time served in pre-sentence custody.
Court heard that Dunk had no trouble with the law since 2008, after compiling a record of three theft and two possession of stolen property convictions. He also breached probation seven times.
“I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Dunk is an absolute menace to society, his conduct is unacceptable, and I hope he uses his time in custody to fully appreciate the consequences of his actions,” Thapa said.
Thapa said there were several mitigating factors, primarily Dunk’s guilty pleas. Had Dunk been tried on all eight charge sheets, 25 days of court time would have been required. Numerous out-of-town and out-of-province witnesses would have been called.
Dunk’s lawyer, Tony Lagemaat, said that his client owns a home in Prince George and has been employed. He fell in with the wrong crowd after a “challenging breakup” with his girlfriend and returned to abusing drugs.
Dunk addressed the judge and took responsibility for his offences.
“There's no excuse for them, nor is there any adequate apology I give to the courts or people affected in the community,” Dunk said.
Dohm acknowledged Dunk’s family and friends in the gallery and their letters of support. He said Dunk’s words of remorse were what they “want to hear.”
“They love you, they respect you, they want you to be the person you can be,” Dohm said.
