Six months for break and enter

A 31-year-old Yorkton man will spend the next six months behind bars for breaking and entering and dangerous driving.

Mark Popowich pleaded guilty to a total of five charges related to an incident May 11 near Moosomin.

On the night in question, a homeowner noticed a white vehicle lurking around his farmyard. When RCMP members arrived, they attempted a traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle took off leading police on a reckless chase that reached speeds of up to 200 kilometres an hour including 80 km/h in a residential zone.

Eventually, the suspect ditched the car on a residential lawn and the chase continued on foot.

With the help of RCMP Police Dog Services, they located Popowich hiding under a tree. A subsequent search of the vehicle produced break and enter tools. Police also discovered Popowich was under a driver's licence suspension.

In light of the early guilty plea, the Crown and defence presented a joint submission for six months in jail. Richard Yaholnitsky, on behalf of the defendant, told the Court his client's actions were related to an addiction problem and asked the judge for an endorsement that would allow Popowich to seek treatment while serving his term.

On his own behalf, Popowich apologized to the Court.

Judge Tim White accepted the joint submission as "fair," but told Popowich that based on his criminal record, he could have faced a much greater sentence.

"You need to deal with your addiction, I want to emphasize that," White said.