One teen let go, one locked up
Bail hearings held for Bilijk First Nation youths accused of attempted robbery at Irving
One of the boys charged after a stolen Mercedes smashed into a downtown gas station last week was released from custody on conditions after bail hearings Monday, but the other was remanded.
Two teenage boys from Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation were arrested Thursday morning after a stolen car smashed into the doors of the Irving and Circle K store at 181 King St.
The defendants are aged 14 and 15, so they can’t be identified, as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The Crown objected to the boys’ release during a brief appearance in youth court Thursday afternoon when both were charged with attempted robbery and other counts, and they were remanded pending bail hearings.
Those hearings were held Monday in Fredericton youth court.
The evidence presented at the hearings is subject to a publication ban until the cases against them conclude. Also subject to the same ban are Judge Cameron Gunn’s reasons for his decisions in both hearings.
Both defendants were charged with attempted robbery, possession of a stolen 2018 Mercedes C300 and masking their faces during the Thursday morning incident.
The 15-year-old also faces counts of assault with a weapon (the Mercedes), dangerous driving, mischief causing damage to the gas station and breach of a youth probation order.
Gunn ruled Monday the prosecution had shown cause why the older boy should remain in custody pending the outcome of his case. As such, he ordered the boy be remanded to the New Brunswick Youth Centre in Miramichi and ordered him to appear again before the court Nov. 8 to enter pleas.
The 14-year-old charged in the case was charged with additional counts as well: indictable assault, uttering threats to cause death and/or bodily harm and breach of a police undertaking.
But Gunn ruled his circumstances didn’t merit continued detention, and he released him on strict conditions.
Among them are to remain at his father’s home under house arrest except for medical emergencies and appointments, meetings with legal counsel and for attendance at school.
He must also present himself at the door of the home should authorities check to see if he’s in compliance with his conditions, attend court as required, abstain from alcohol and other intoxicants, participate in counselling and have no contact with the other boy charged in the case.
The judge ordered him to return to court Nov. 14 to enter pleas.
The charges arose after the stolen car smashed into the gas station and convenience store at about 5:30 a.m. Oct. 19.
The Fredericton Police Force said it received a report of a robbery in progress, and officers and firefighters were dispatched to 181 King St.
“Upon arrival, they discovered a car had entered the front of the building, causing significant damage,” police spokesperson Sonya Gilks said Thursday.
“The two male individuals who were involved were arrested at the scene. One person sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by [emergency medical services].”
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.