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Sentencing delayed for local B&E suspect

Blackwater Road bust suspect is seeking new counsel for court date July 17
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Quesnel resident Earl Edward Roper appeared in Quesnel provincial court today (June 20).

He was scheduled to be sentenced for charges related to an RCMP bust on Blackwater Road on Jan. 3, to which he has already entered a guilty plea; however, during his appearance today his lawyer applied to be removed from Roper’s case.

Roper was in agreement with the decision, saying he hopes to seek new counsel. Court was adjourned until July 17, 2018 to allow Roper to obtain a new lawyer.

Roper is charged with possession of stolen property worth more than $5,000; two charges of possessions of stolen goods worth less than $5,000; breach of undertaking; two charges of possession of a firearm without a licence and/or registration; careless use or storage of a firearm; and storage of a firearm contrary to regulation.

Background

After a break-and-enter and theft at a business on Keis Avenue in Quesnel on Jan. 1, 2018, the business owner gave police a tip on Jan. 3, reporting he had information as to where his stolen electronic device may be located.

A press release from the Quesnel RCMP states members of the Quesnel RCMP General Duty and Crime Reduction units went to a residence in the 1700 block of Blackwater Road to follow up on the tip.

They found a stolen trailer parked at the home when they arrived.

Upon entering the house, the officers stated they saw stolen property in plain view.

The RCMP members subsequently arrested some occupants of the home for possession of stolen property.

Once a search warrant was obtained, police stated they searched the property, where they seized the electronic device belonging to the business owner from Keis Avenue, as well as several firearms and other stolen property.

- with files from Ken Alexander