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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Police are still searching for Lloyd Thrasher, an aspiring musician with a lengthy rap sheet who disappeared while on bail in July.

An arrest warrant for Lloyd Thrasher, pictured here in police custody while attending court in 2011, has been in effect since July 12. - NNSL file photo

Thrasher, who gained local notoriety in January 2011 after being convicted for stabbing and killing a dog he stole from a parked car, is accused of breaking into two Yellowknife convenience stores, among other charges.

He was released on bail into the custody of a relative on March 29 while awaiting trial. He failed to appear in territorial court July 12, where he was scheduled to be sentenced on two of the seven outstanding charges against him, including one of the break-ins.

A number of witnesses were at the courthouse for the sentencing, however, Thrasher never showed up.

Click here to view video of Lloyd Thrasher performing at a "stop Harper" event in Vancouver.

"This is ridiculous," said William Cheng, owner of Willy's Convenience Store on Range Lake Road. Thrasher is accused of breaking into his store last February.

Cheng said the justice system doesn't do enough to protect Yellowknife residents and businesses from repeat offenders.

"Better measures should be taken to prevent these people from getting on the street," said Cheng.

Judge Christine Gagnon ordered Thrasher to be arrested and brought to court, but he has been on the lam ever since.

Yellowknife police have been working under the assumption that Thrasher left Yellowknife months ago, said Staff Sgt. Brad Kaeding.

In cases like these, police can only make inquiries, monitor national police information centres, and hope that the person is eventually found, Kaeding said. Judging by Thrasher's lengthy criminal record and his frequent appearances in the public eye he is bound to show up sooner or later, the staff sergeant said.

"A fellow like Lloyd who, as they say, is known to police is not likely to stay out of trouble for too long so it is possible that he'll show up on either our system or someone else's system eventually," he said.

An internet search by Yellowknifer turned up a YouTube video of Thrasher, who was apparently performing in a band at a "stop Harper" event in Vancouver on Canada Day – 11 days before his court date – and just prior to a speech by Libby Davies, deputy leader of the NDP opposition.

Cheng, meanwhile, insists repeat offenders are taking advantage of what they see as a lenient justice system.

He said another man who robbed a nearby gas station twice within one week came into Willy's and threatened to rob Cheng as well.

"I always worry about it, it's not good," said Cheng. "The government has to do something to make the public feel safer – feel like we are living in a safe place, not that there are people who are always around you who want to rob you or hurt your kids. That's not nice to feel like that."

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