A 37-year-old man has been handed a 60-day jail sentence for stealing $4,214 worth of merchandise from the Lululemon store at Burnaby’s Metrotown mall.
James Steven Lopert was in Vancouver provincial court Monday to plead guilty to two counts of theft.
The charges related to incidents at the Metropolis at Metrotown mall on Nov. 6 and March 4.
In total, Lopert stole 44 items, according to Crown prosecutor Louise Gauld.
She noted Lopert had already done jail time for earlier thefts at Lululemon and was under a court order banning him from any of its B.C. establishments.
“He’s become a plague on that store,” Gauld said.
In a joint sentencing submission, Gauld and defence lawyer Zach Myers called for a 60-day jail sentence, minus credit for time served, leaving 10 days on the sentence.
Myers said Lopert had recently gotten housing and access to community supports to help him deal with mental health and substance-use challenges.
Both Myers and Gauld agreed a lengthier sentence might jeopardize his progress.
B.C. provincial court Judge Patricia Bond accepted the joint submission and sentenced Lopert to 10 more days in jail.
“This sentence will permit Mr. Lopert to maintain his residence, which has afforded him significant stability in the community,” Bond said.
Lopert is still prohibited from attending any Lululemon store in B.C.
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