A Revelstoke ski thief’s early morning first tracks proved to be nothing to brag about.
Cory Russell Faulconer, 22, pleaded guilty to theft and assault in Revelstoke Provincial Court on Mar. 5. The charges stem from an early morning stealing spree in the Revelstoke Best Western Parking lot on Dec. 11, 2013, after security guards caught Faulconer walking off with a pair of skis, a snowboard and other items he stole from vehicles in the lot.
Mother nature tipped off two patrolling hotel security guards to the crime in progress. Fresh flakes were flying overnight, and guard Joseph Marcoffio – an auxiliary RCMP officer – noticed fresh footprints weaving through the parking lot.
In fact, the single set of footprints led from car door to truck door, Crown prosecutor Mariane Armstrong told the court.
“They also observed fresh snow brushed from door handles,” she said.
The guards followed the tracks into the adjacent Sandman Inn parking lot, where they found Falcouner walking away with a pair of skis, a snowboard and several iPods stuffed into his pockets.
When confronted, Faulconer – who appears to be about six feet tall and well over 200 pounds – dropped the skis and snowboard and squared up to the guards. A wrestling match ensued, exhausting one of the guards. By the time the RCMP arrived, the two guards had gained the upper hand, pinning him to the ground in the snowy parking lot.
Faulconer pleaded guilting in court. Justice Takahashi asked the young man if he concurred with the prosecutor’s version of events.
“That’s pretty much what happened,” Faulconer said. By way of explanation, Faulconer said: “I was drinking. … I made stupid choices.”
Faulconer, who has no previous criminal record, was sentenced to a conditional discharge with one year’s probation. He must not go back to the hotels mentioned, and must refrain from drinking during probation. Justice Takahashi sentenced Faulconer to 25 hours of community service and he must also pay a victim surcharge of $100 for each count. The judge amended a nightly curfew to weekends only so Faulconer can continue to work nights.