Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 19/03) - Roland Hiesinger, one of three men responsible for a spree of business break-ins last fall, has been sentenced to 19 months in jail.

He pleaded guilty in territorial court Tuesday to five counts of break and enter and four counts of unlawfully entering a residence.

Earlier this year, Hiesingers partner in crime, Martin Pudlat, 19, received an 18-month sentence. Johnny Harrison, the third person charged in connection with the break-ins, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced April 3.

Between them, Judge Michel Bourassa said, the trio were alleged to have committed 20 to 30 break-ins in Yellowknife late last year.

Crown lawyer Ari Slatkoff told the court Hiesinger broke into the Vietnamese Noodle House on Nov. 1 and took $150 in cash. He attempted to break into the business next door using a kitchen knife from the restaurant.

Next, he made his way to The Diner and stole $997 from the register and safe. His share was $200, the court heard. Hiesinger also broke into the Racquet Club and took $100.

Ryans Restaurant was hit by Hiesinger on Nov. 4. The thief squeezed under the restaurants security gate and stole $400 and four bottles of vodka. He also climbed through the ceiling to get into the restaurants office and tried, unsuccessfully, to open a safe. His next stop was Kentucky Fried Chicken. Unable to find money, he left empty handed.

The 31-year-old then entered four homes on Gitzel Street using keys from his previous construction job. He took nothing but stayed and partied for some time in one unoccupied residence.

Growing up in group homes

Hiesinger has previous mischief and break-and-enter convictions but has never served time.

Defence lawyer Graham Watt told the court Hiesinger grew up in a group home. He stayed there from Grade 8 until age 18, and then lived in various homeless shelters in Yellowknife and Iqaluit.

His upbringing is something the court should consider, said Watt. He added that Hiesinger doesnt have an alcohol problem.

Bourassa said the crime deserves condemnation in a way that is understood by others and the sentence must also be consistent with the others.

Its important to consider the effect one person can have on the community, he said. One has to remember that each break and enter has a victim.

The judge wondered how a community as small as Yellowknife coped with the scores of break and enters late last year.

Its easy to understand the outrage.