WESTLOCK – A 22-year-old man accused of being on a rural property with what appeared to be a firearm pleaded guilty midway through his trial in Westlock Court of Justice on Oct. 9.
Tristen Laroche entered a guilty plea to the charge of possession of a firearm or an imitation firearm.
Justice T. W. Achtymichuk said the evidence only proved that Laroche had what appeared to be a weapon. Laroche was sentenced to 60 days in jail on that charge and banned from owning weapons for a year. Charges of unauthorized possession of a restricted weapon and possession of break-in instruments were dismissed.
Laroche, who was in custody, appeared via CCTV from the remand centre. The Crown had planned to call two witnesses, but only one took the stand.
The witness testified that on Nov. 3, 2023, at around 10 a.m., he received text alerts from his late uncle’s Westlock County rural farmyard security system. The notifications showed an unauthorized person on the property with what appeared to be a weapon. Bunko drove there and also observed a suspicious black truck. He called 911, informing police of the unidentified individual potentially carrying a firearm.
Westlock RCMP officers arrived approximately 20 minutes later. By that time, other family members had also arrived but kept their distance from Laroche.
“[RCMP] drew their guns and the rest of us went the opposite direction,” Bunko testified.
During cross-examination, Edmonton criminal defence lawyer Gary Smith questioned the witness's certainty about the weapon. The witness admitted he had believed it was a firearm.
He testified that the outdoor security system had been installed after a series of break-ins – three within six days – following the recent passing of his uncle.
“It didn’t become public knowledge until late Thursday, early Friday, then they started breaking in after that.”
