A Cedar Valley man who repeatedly stole alcohol from several supermarkets across the city has been sentenced to three years in prison after a months-long theft spree valued at more than $6,800.
Wilbur Edwards appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of larceny. He was handed six-month sentences for each count, to run consecutively, meaning he will spend a total of three years behind bars.
The court heard that Edwards visited multiple supermarkets over a three-month period, disguising his thefts as ordinary shopping trips. He reportedly carried an extra bag in his shopping cart, filled it with bottles of alcohol, and then paid only for other groceries at the cashier. One supermarket was targeted twice during the spree.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate noted that consecutive sentences were appropriate given that the offences were of a similar nature — all involving the theft of expensive liquor from different businesses on separate occasions.
Edwards was, however, acquitted of battery and resisting arrest charges, which had been brought in connection with his apprehension.
3 years in prison for something so small? People through away their lives for literally nothing! Hope he went in drunk!
People are going prison for anything now? Jailed 3 years for alcohol? lol. Crazy world we live in
I do hope he gets the therapy and help he needs in prison
Three years is a tough sentence hopefully, he learns from this and makes a better path forward.
Thats plenty rum . wow. SMH. I cant even comment properly because i dunno wa to say
At least he was honest enough to plead guilty. Maybe this is his turning point.
Like he was planning to open his own bar
A three-year sentence for stealing alcohol might sound like a sobering outcome , but it underscores a deeper issue. Petty crimes often mask bigger struggles: addiction, unemployment, or desperation. Justice must punish, yes, but it should also aim to heal what drives the act.
Three years sound fair. You can’t keep tiefing from people business and expect sympathy.
You can’t just walk in and steal from hardworking business owners. Every bottle adds up. Justice served.