Fake Robbery Report Nets Sentence

A woman who falsified an armed robbery report at the Vernon business she worked at, has been given a conditional sentence.

40 year old Corinna Ann Beal was working at Vernon Cash Solutions on 26th Street last November when she called police to say a man with a gun has robbed the store, and even gave a description of the suspect.

That initiated a major police response, but no arrests were made.

A short time later, the store’s owner told police he had images of Beal on the store’s video surveillance taking money from the safe and a cash box.

On Monday, Beal plead guilty to theft under five thousand dollars and reporting an offence committed when it was not.

Beal told the court she was “truly sorry and really embarrassed,” with her lawyer Glen Skobalski, adding Beal was under personal and financial stress at the time, caring for her ill parents and having children with special needs.

Judge Mayland McKimm gave Beal a six month conditional sentence, including the first 60 days under house arrest.

“This crime was aggravated by the utilization of police in an attempt to cover up the theft,” said McKimm who called it a serious crime.

“The only explanation is she was stressed out and wanted to steal some money,” added the judge

She was also ordered to pay back more $1,674 in restitution to the business’s owner.

The Crown called for a 12 month conditional sentence, that normally would warrant  jail time if not for the fact Beal had no previous criminal record.

Defence lawyer Skobalski called for a conditional sentence, noting Beal “did own up to the offence,” and that it took place during a time of “significant stress.”

Beal had worked for Vernon Cash Solutions for three months at the time of the offence.