One of the two men accused of stealing a van with a non-verbal woman in the back seat in Edmonton which caused the issuing of an amber alert last fall, has now been sentenced.
Dakota James Hughes, 26, was sentenced to 30 months, minus 13 months for his time served, for his role in the crime on Monday July 15, 2024.
Hughes and Jacob Lloyd Chambers stole a Toyota minivan on Oct 19, that belonged to the caregiver of a non-verbal adult. The victim was in a wheelchair that was strapped into the back of the van, which was parked at 118 Avenue near 91 Street.
An Amber alert had been issued as the result of the woman being considered vulnerable.
The two men charged were unaware there was a woman inside the vehicle at the time as she sat in the van for 45 minutes, when they realized, at which time they were outside of the city in nearby Fort Saskatchewan according to the agreed statement of facts.
According to Hughes the vehicle was ditched, with it running so the woman wasn’t left to freeze and the doors were locked to prevent any further theft.
The victims caregiver at the time, who is originally from Columbia read her own statement, saying she no longer feels safe in Canada.
Hughes addressed the court saying he feels remorse and that it should never have happened.
Jacob Lloyd Chambers, who was also involved was previously handed a 33-month sentence in the case.
Each of them two men will also pay $3,885.76 in reparation damages to the victim’s caretaker.
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