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Richmond Man Remains in Custody Following E-Bike Store Break-In Attempt

A man in Richmond, British Columbia, accused of attempting to break into an e-bike store using a dump truck, has been ordered to remain in custody after a bail hearing. Joey Antoine Maillet’s next court appearance will determine his future status.

Maillet faces several charges, including break-and-enter and theft of a motor vehicle, stemming from an incident that occurred on November 16. During the alleged attempt, Maillet reportedly used a dump truck to ram into the front of the e-bike business located on Maycrest Way. Security footage from the scene captured the truck repeatedly colliding with the store, although it was unable to breach the building’s security gates.

Despite Maillet’s efforts, nothing was stolen from the store. However, the damages incurred—including destruction to the e-bike store, the truck, and the parking lot from which the truck was taken—are expected to total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Criminal History and Further Charges

Court documents indicate that Maillet’s criminal history dates back to 2008. He is also charged with a similar crime involving the use of a forklift to break into an e-bike store in Saanich last July, for which he was swiftly apprehended.

In addition to his Canadian charges, Maillet reportedly has a criminal background in the United States, which includes offenses related to illegal entry and theft. He was previously sentenced to five years in the U.S. for using heavy machinery to break into gun stores in Washington state, leading to the theft of nearly 40 firearms. Notably, seven of these firearms were later found in the possession of criminals in Canada.

The Broader Implications

This case highlights ongoing issues related to property crime and the alarming trend of using vehicles in break-ins, which poses significant risks to business owners and the community. As investigations continue, the legal proceedings against Maillet are expected to attract further attention given his extensive criminal history and the severity of the accusations.

Source
globalnews.ca