Second Con-Air Flight Takes Off

Thursday, April 24, 2008 07:56 PM

Click on video icon for video of trio being shipped out

Prince George, B.C. – Call it “Con-Air”. This evening, Prince George RCMP sent three people “known to them” back to their respective provinces where they will be prosecuted on a variety of charges.

All three had outstanding warrants, some had been picked up for offences in Prince George, but Staff Sergeant Jeff McArthur says the charges in Prince George were not significant to keep them in Prince George when there were outstanding warrants elsewhere. So, Prince George RCMP have decided to do something no other RCMP detachment in B.C. has done. They are shipping the “problems” back to places where there are outstanding warrants.

McArthur says this is not the first group to be sent out. Last week, two others were shipped out via an RCMP plane flight to Edmonton where the duo will face a string of charges.

McArthur says he hopes this kind of effort is adopted all over the country and that includes having those who have skipped Prince George returned to this city to face the music. “Just because someone skips out on the charge that doesn’t mean we have forgotten about it. We would like them returned so the victims of the crimes can see the matter brought to a close. “

McArthur says the five who have been shipped out (four to Alberta, one to Saskatchewan) share in nearly 250 convictions.

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Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 07:56 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: lostfaith on April 24 2008 9:21 PM

McArthur says the five who have been shipped out (four to Alberta, one to Saskatchewan) share in nearly 250 convictions.

250 CONVICTIONS AND THEY ARE STILL WALKING OUR STREETS.

SHAME ON YOU DAMN JUDGES GO TO HE11

Posted by: opion1 on April 24 2008 9:39 PM

I don't understand. What happened to these people who where not shipped back before? What the change of heart? Sound like something that should have been done a long time ago

Posted by: thereasonableman on April 24 2008 11:45 PM

I think it has more to do with cleaning up the province for the upcoming olympics.

I do like the idea, though, whatever the motivation. It used to be really hard to get warrants extended, and probably still is. This is a good workaround.

Posted by: DaisyM on April 25 2008 6:26 AM

250 convictions????
OMG....thats scary. Cudos to the Prince
George detachment for a major step in the right direction.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 25 2008 7:51 AM

Our government says it is too expensive to put all these people in jail.
They have told the courts and the judges to be careful about how many losers they send away,so they end up back out on the streets, even after numerous offences.
Our jails are over crowded they tell us, and really,when was the last time the government built a new prison?
This is exactly why we end up with killers and perverts in minimum security facilities.
And it is getting worse.
The cops are doing the best they can, but unfortunately,our politicans are not doing anything to help the situation.
And our judges obviously don't have the balls to stand up to them and apply our laws to the max.
Our justice system is an absolute mess and it is time we let our elected leaders we want it fixed.
Make this a major election issue!

Posted by: kevin1006 on April 25 2008 10:46 AM

One huge problem, if not the biggest, are the drug laws. The "drug War", most of all on Pot, will never work no matter what you do. The greatest motivation humans have right now is the worship of money, so as long as people want drugs - can you say forever? - there will be money worshippers willing to take the chance of supplying these drugs so they may worship their God. How many people are in the court and prison systems RIGHT NOW for pot violations? Every dollar spent on them is a dollar not being spent on real criminals.

Those of you that are still against making pot legal really need to rethink your position using logic and reason instead of emotion and personel religous beliefs (where in the Bible, exactly, does God forbid smoking pot?) and realize that a practical approach on this issue is in order. Legalize and tax and there will be far less crime connected to this plant, hence more money availible to keep real criminals in prison.

Posted by: C. Monty Burns on April 25 2008 11:34 AM

I love how we spend money to fly them back home. You want to punish these low life losers, then send them on a bus from here to Winterpeg. Now that's punishment. Get em' outta here!

Posted by: owl on April 25 2008 12:54 PM

Bus???? They are accompanied by a Sherrif at the least. Likely two. They get paid by the hour, likely partly overtime for travel with a bus, plus accommodation, a money for a timbit.

I suspect they get a cehap government rate on a plane.

So, travel by plane coud be cheaper, as well as more secure.

Of course, security at the arport in PG may stop them since they are known criminals and thus not trustworthy on a plane.

;-)

Posted by: caranmacil on April 25 2008 3:05 PM

I expect flying is the best option. I think it is excellent that there is some interprovincial cooperation going on. Here is a true tale for you.
A few years back my friend found out the car she bought was actually a hot car. The thief was a career car thief and was caught (by a civilian he had ripped off previously) in Kelowna. He was out on bail and left the province a month or so later. He was arrested in Ontario, but he was NOT DETAINED. The reason for this was that the warrant for his arrest, issued in BC was not an interprovincial warrant, so the Ont. police did not know he was awol from BC.
I found the whole business shocking. I find it equally bad that 'con air' is a news story. I am sure many of us (most?) assumed that criminals wanted in one province would be sent there if they were found in another. Naive i guess.

Posted by: wrinkledawg on April 25 2008 4:25 PM

Open the door and kick them out, might save a bit on landing fees.

Posted by: wrinkledawg on April 25 2008 4:26 PM

Open the door and kick them out, might save a bit on landing fees.

Posted by: Chester on April 25 2008 5:36 PM

This just highlights a bigger problem of criminals just moving to another province to break the law. Enough of the ten chances. If we can catch them after 3, send them home. Chester

Posted by: PGUKE on April 26 2008 9:48 AM

Good Bye Mr. Ricky Lezinski

It is too bad he didn't get sent back sooner as it only took him two weeks since his last court appearance in Prince George to steal my car. March 28 he was sentenced to 1 day in jail and an additional six months as time served for theft over 5000 dollars. I believe there was two years probation attached to it as well.

Last Saturday he was picked up as he was spotted on the way to me meeting the RCMP to recover my car ... if I had acted a little more irrationally at the time there would probably not have been a need for him to be sent back via Con Air. He had evaded the RCMP for a few days doing whatever he does best ..

Unfortunately, I am saddled with the expenses and inconvenience of life after a stolen vehicle. How do I recover the expenses? I don't ..

In the meantime we will all continue to pay .. Maybe Alberta will send him back when his time is done there.

What is confusing is why he was let out with outstanding warrants against him in Alberta ... unless he made some fast mile since March 28.