Dryden, ON – Crimebeat – A Dryden resident is facing theft charges following an incident at a local business.
On Monday, November 4th, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, Dryden Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a call at a business in the city.
Following an investigation, 46-year-old Kaley Lewis of Dryden was arrested and charged with Theft Under $500 – Shoplifting.
Understanding Shoplifting Charges and Penalties:
In Canada, shoplifting falls under the broader offence of theft. Theft Under $5,000 is considered a hybrid offence, meaning the Crown prosecutor can choose to proceed by summary conviction or indictment.
- Summary Conviction: This is the less serious option. The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.
- Indictment: This is the more serious option. The maximum penalty is two years imprisonment.
The actual penalty imposed will depend on various factors, including the value of the stolen goods, the offender’s criminal record, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.
Presumption of Innocence:
It is important to remember that Kaley Lewis is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Lewis was held in custody and appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice on November 5th, 2024.
Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
