Verdict reserved for alleged drug trafficker

Bear, who was wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant for being unlawfully at large, was initially located at a residence on Spence Street. Riding a BMX bike and carrying a black backpack, he then fled from the officers and the property.

Three of the officers on scene gave chase on foot and a fourth officer pursued in an unmarked police vehicle.

Bear headed north on 17th Ave. West until reaching a dead end. The officer in the car allegedly bumped the back of the bike and Bear, after dropping the backpack, then attempted unsuccessfully to climb a nearby fence.

He was arrested soon after and loaded into the back of a police car.

A photo of the items found in the backpack. (Prince Albert Police Service)

The officer who pulled Bear off the fence, and punched him multiple times in the head, testified Bear was reaching for something in his waistband. The officers also noted through prior dealings with Bear, knew Bear had gang affiliations.

Inside the backpack, officer found a loaded .22 caliber gun, ammo, 37 small bags of meth, a functioning scale and $1,690 cash. The quantities of the drugs ranged from .3 grams to 3.1 grams. There was also a black and white bandana and hygiene products.

In her submissions, defence lawyer Meaghan Ward noted a number of inconsistencies with the testimony by the officers including descriptions of the mask Bear was allegedly seen wearing and whether he was even wearing a mask at all when he fled from the house.

Bear told the courtroom he was panicked when he fled from the house and mistakenly grabbed a bag that was identical in appearance to one he owned.

Ward defended the testimony, stating her client was open and honest about what transpired.

Meanwhile Prosecutor Stephen Jordan argued Bear had every reason to lie and stated it was a “profound coincidence” there were two identical bags.

With respect to connecting Bear to the bag, Jordan noted a bottle of liquor that was found, and Bear’s own admission to drinking vodka earlier that day, in addition to consuming meth.

For the hygiene products found, Jordan brought up Bear’s testimony he had been homeless and couch surfing.

During his testimony, Bear stated he had disconnected himself from street gangs for three years, but Jordan noted both the bandana found in the bag and the sweater he was wearing contained the black and white colours synonymous with a well known gang.

In his remarks Justice Gerecke asked why Bear never told the arresting officers he was carrying someone else’s bag.

Prior to the arrest, police had earlier that morning, believing they were pursuing Bear, followed an orange Kia Soul throughout the South Hill and West Flat areas of the city.

The driver who was wearing a black mask, black ball cap and black hoodie was observed at times ignoring red lights and stop signs and was travelling at speeds between 100 and 140 km/h. At one point however, police lost contact with the vehicle, only to locate it about an hour later unoccupied at the address on Spence Street.

In addition to the drugs and gun charges, Bear was also charged with operating a conveyance while prohibited from doing so, and operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public.

At the start of Thursday’s hearing, it was confirmed the driving charges were being dropped. Prosecutor Stephen Jordan told paNOW there were evidentiary issues with identity and essentially placing Bear in the driver’s seat of the car.

At the beginning of the week, Bear did enter a guilty plea to resisting arrest. So regardless of the verdict, he will be sentenced on that but lawyers have already indicated it would be a non-custodial sentence.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Verdict reserved for alleged drug trafficker

What's Trending