Crown seeks one month in jail for shoplifter – Brandon Sun

A Virden woman with a history of theft and property crimes was sentenced to prison for shoplifting, even though authorities recommended she stay in prison.

Rashelle Studer, 42, pleaded guilty to stealing less than $5,000 from Sobeys West in Brandon and failing to appear in court. The prosecution argued she should spend a month in jail, while the defense suggested time served or home detention if a stay is imposed.

District Attorney Rich Lonstrup read the evidence supporting the charges in court.

On the afternoon of April 4, 2023, Studer went to the health and beauty section of Sobeys West and put deodorant and two boxes of razor blades in her purse.

She then grabbed a box of taco shells and left the store through the front door, avoiding the cash register.

However, the store’s alarm sensors were triggered and a store employee was able to write down the license plate number of Studer’s car.

The total value of the items she stole was $132.

Lonstrup called Studer’s criminal record for theft and property offences “horrific” and cited articles in The Brandon Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press about an increase in shoplifting in both cities.

“Society’s tolerance for shoplifting, and especially for repeat offenders, is at an all-time low,” the prosecutor said.

According to Brandon Police Service statistics, shoplifting reports have increased by 65 percent between 2021 and 2023. Compared to the first four months of 2023, shoplifting reports are up four percent this year.

In court, Lonstrup argued that a month in prison would send a signal to Studer.

“Something needs to get through to people who do this habitually that the only solution in the future is to go to prison,” he said.

Studer’s attorney, Jennifer Janssens, argued that her client should not be sentenced to prison but should serve time for the crime he committed.

Janssens said her client lives in Virden, where she cares for her mother, who was recently hospitalized with rheumatoid arthritis, and three teenage sons, one of whom has cerebral palsy.

The defense attorney added that Studer admits that the theft was due to her addiction problem, and that she has applied for addiction treatment and found a job.

“I take full responsibility and I am taking action to understand why I am doing this,” Studer told the court, reading from her apology letter.

Associate Chief Judge Donovan Dvorak acknowledged that deterrence is key, but added that some repeat offenders are able to move on and put the past behind them.

“I would like to see (that) for you — just move on,” Dvorak told Studer. “I hate to use the word ‘age’ out of the system, but in a way you do. Leave that kind of involvement (in the criminal justice system) behind. What message does that send to your children?”

Ultimately, the judge sentenced Studer to nine days in prison and one year of unsupervised probation.

He also ordered Studer to pay a fine for failing to appear at a court hearing.

The judge encouraged Studer to address the issues behind her involvement in the shoplifting.

“You don’t want to go back because next time… The Crown will tell me how wrong I was,” Dvorak said.

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