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Vancouver mail thief had 121 letters when arrested

Man caught with stolen mail, identification not belonging to him says 'I'm sorry' in court
courtroom
A Vancouver Provincial Court judge added one day to 118 already served for a man who pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and breaking and entering.

A man who pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and breaking and entering to commit an offence will spend one more day in jail on top of 118 days in pre-sentence custody.

Tyson Joseph Ryan, 28, was involved in a Commercial Drive break and enter on June 18, 2021, and in a case of mail theft near Broadway and Hemlock on Oct. 9, 2021, court heard Friday.

In the latter case, two officers arrested Ryan on a B.C.-wide warrant and found him in possession of 121 pieces of stolen mail, according to the Crown prosecutor. The court heard there had been a break-in in the 1500 block of West 6th Avenue.

In the June case, police were called to a complaint of a man struggling with another man in the 700 block of East 6th Avenue. The Crown lawyer said Ryan was attempting to stab the man with a flathead screwdriver. As a result, Ryan was charged with assault with a weapon and breaking and entering.

The Crown pointed out that Ryan had multiple pieces of identification that did not belong to him.

The lawyer noted he had been released twice but finally held in custody since Nov. 29.

With all the custody days added up, Ryan has been in jail 118 days for which a 177-day credit was given.

Ryan's defence lawyer said he has struggled with a significant methamphetamine addiction, that his crimes were fuelled by that addiction, and that he has cleaned up while in custody.

Asked if he had anything to say to the court, Ryan said, “I’m sorry.”

The judge banned Ryan from possessing any tools outside of work. He was also told he couldn't possess anyone else’s identification.

jhainsworth@glaciermedia.ca

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