Erin Whitefish was sentenced Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Woman found in wrestling team’s stolen van, receives 90 days jail

Apr 21, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A woman who was charged in connection to the theft of the Prince Albert Wrestling Club’s team van has received a 90 day jail sentence.

Erin Whitefish, 33, appeared by video when her matters were discussed Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

For the offense that occurred in February, she entered a guilty plea to a single charge of possession of property obtained by crime. Guily pleas were also entered to several court related breaches including orders not to possess a knife or ammunition.

The distinct gold coloured van, that was used by the club to pick members up for practice and take the team to tournaments, had been left parked outside an address in the city’s west flat area. The owner told paNOW it had been left locked and the keys were with him.

Inside the van were all the club’s gear, medical supplies, a wrestling dummy, and a child’s car seat.

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In the days following the theft, pictures were posted to social media, showing the van being used to commit other crimes in the Christopher Lake area. The van was eventually recovered near Tweedsmuir.

An image of the stolen van on a security camera. (Submitted photo)

According to discussion heard in court Friday, Whitefish had merely been found inside the van.

A second male suspect fled the scene and has not yet been caught.

Speaking to the van’s owner, he told paNOW none of the equipment had been recovered and including the $700 deductible being paid to SGI. He’s facing costs between $2,000 and $3,000.

In July, 2022, Whitefish received a 10-month jail sentence for a violent incident at a Canwood grocery store. A machete was used during a heated argument, and death threats were made toward staff.

With credit for time spent in remand, Whitefish had roughly 150 days left to serve. The sentence would have expired roughly two months before the van was taken.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell