Man who stole cab, fired shots at police receives 13 year sentence

According to the summary of facts, on April 13, 2018, Pinder and the co-accused stole a taxi in Regina. During the robbery, Pinder put a knife against the driver’s throat, then stabbed him in the torso multiple times before forcing the driver out of the vehicle.

The driver was able to get help from a passerby and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver said in a victim impact statement he continues to have nightmares and trauma from the experience.

“He said it was the worst day of his life,” the judge said, citing the victim impact statement.

Then, on April 14, 2018, Pinder stole gas from a station near Lashburn.

A Maidstone RCMP officer responded to the theft and identified the vehicle as matching the description of the taxi stolen in the Regina robbery.

When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, Pinder, who was driving the cab, took flight and led the officer on a pursuit eastbound on Highway 16.

During the chase, the co-accused, Verena Petruka, who was in the passenger seat, discharged a firearm at the officer’s vehicle. She then dropped the gun outside her window.

The vehicle Pinder was driving was reported to be travelling at 160 km/h.

Pinder turned off the highway onto a side road near Delmas. When the officer arrived, he saw Pinder standing outside the cab holding a rifle. Pinder then fired shots at the officer’s vehicle, including his windshield. Pinder returned to his vehicle and kept driving.

In the end, Pinder’s vehicle became stuck in the ditch. With support from the Battlefords RCMP, Pinder and Petruka were arrested.

“These offences were extremely serious,” said Justice Allbright.

The judge said both the officer and the cab driver experienced extreme trauma and risked their lives as a result of Pinder’s actions, but if it were not for Pinder’s meth addictions, the incidents may not have happened.

When he addressed the court, Pinder apologized, expressed remorse and said he plans to seek addictions counselling.

Crown prosecutors Charlotte Morden and Alexandra Findlay had recommended a sentence of at least 14 years in prison, but would have preferred 18 or 19, less time served. Defence attorney Ian Mokuruk recommended 10 or 11 years, less time served.

Justice Allbright sentenced Pinder to seven years for the robbery in Regina, seven years consecutive for discharging a firearm with intent to prevent arrest near Delmas, two years consecutive for flight from a peace officer near Lashburn, and 30 days concurrent for theft under $5,000 for stealing gasoline.

The judge applied what he said is known as the Totality Principle, taking into account the offender and the offence, which he said is appropriate in this case, in giving the final sentence of 13 years, less 20 months for a total credit of time served, leaving Pinder with just under 11.5 years.

The Crown withdrew the outstanding charge of attempted murder.

Allbright factored in Pinder’s young age, his willingness for rehabilitation to deal with his addictions issues and his early guilty pleas, while taking into account the seriousness of the offences.

The judge said he was concerned that “an overly long sentence could be crushing” on Pinder’s potential to complete rehabilitation in prison, and become a productive member of society when he is released.

He said Pinder made some bad choices, but now has an opportunity to complete programming while he is incarcerated.

“You can focus on you, and being a better you,” Allbright told Pinder.

Pinder is prohibited from driving for two years after his release date. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms for 18 years.

Outside court, Crown prosecutor Charlotte Morden said the Crown believed the judge’s verdict of 13 years was appropriate.

“He came to what we both feel is a reasoned and fair decision,” she said. “Thirteen years is what he arrived at and we respect that.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Man who stole cab, fired shots at police receives 13 year sentence

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