BOYLE — A local frequent flyer will remain behind bars for the foreseeable future after extending his stay in jail for leading officers on a low-risk vehicle chase in a stolen truck.
In Boyle Court of Justice Aug. 13, 36-year-old Chad Ray Howse pleaded guilty to one count of flight from a police officer while driving and one count of possession of stolen property over $5,000 as part of a joint submission.
Justice Robert Shaigec accepted the submission and handed down the Crown’s requested sentence of 100 days in custody, a one-year driving prohibition, and a forfeiture order for stolen items.
“It’s a sentence that is in keeping with the public interest and recognizes that the crimes committed are relatively serious,” said Shaigec.
“Flight from police officers almost always results in a jail sentence, and appropriately so because of the danger it creates for the police and other innocent motorists on the roadways.”
Court heard on the evening of Feb. 29, 2024, Boyle RCMP officers noticed a suspicious vehicle when responding to a report of a break and enter in progress at a rural property near the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement. The vehicle fled when officers engaged their lights and sirens and continued to flee after a tire deflation device punctured one tire.
The vehicle became stuck on an unmarked trail, and the driver, later identified as Chad Howse, fled on foot but was apprehended not far from the vehicle. The truck in question, determined to have been stolen from Lac La Biche Feb. 16, was spray painted black and had no licence plate.
As part of the submission between Crown prosecutor Taylor Noble and defence counsel Larissa Just, two counts each of possession of a weapon, non-residential break and enter, and driving while unauthorized were withdrawn.
Also withdrawn were single counts of transporting liquor in a vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving without insurance, and failure to comply with undertaking conditions.
Noble listed Howse’s guilty plea and potential triable issues with prosecuting the flight as mitigating factors but cited his previous criminal record as aggravating.
“We can see several somewhat related driving offences; some impaired’s and driving while prohibited in 2010, but no previous flights. In regards to property, no previous possession of stolen property but identity frauds from 2021.”
Shaigec acknowledged the rural setting of the flight did reduce the seriousness of the offence as few other drivers were at risk, and noted the likely slow chase following the puncturing of a tire acted as another mitigating factor.
Just made several submissions on her client’s behalf, noting he has a young daughter and touching on aspects of his personal life.
“Prior to his incarceration, Mr. Howse was working as a firefighter. As I understand it, that is his plan once he is eventually released is to continue firefighting,” said Just.
She also detailed aspects of his childhood, describing his youth as influenced by witnessing domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.
“He did tell me he used to struggle with alcohol. He started using marijuana at the age of 14; at the age of 20 he began struggling with crack cocaine; and at the age of 23 he began struggling with methamphetamine.”
Howse, who appeared via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, declined to comment, but Just added he has expressed a desire to address his addiction issues.
His 100 days of custody will begin following the sentence he’s currently serving on unrelated charges, and the year-long driving prohibition will begin after his consecutive custody is completed. No victim-fine surcharge was imposed.
