Man sentenced for attempted theft, break-in tools seized

SANDRA M STANWAYBrooks Bulletin On Sept. 6, 2025, Peter George Coyne, 27, was identified in connection with a break and enter at Evergreen Industrial Park ... Read more

SANDRA M STANWAY Brooks Bulletin On Sept. 6, 2025, Peter George Coyne, 27, was identified in connection with a break and enter at Evergreen Industrial Park in the County of Newell. The victim reported a trailer lock had been cut and contents worth about $7,270 stolen. Surveillance captured a vehicle associated with Coyne arriving at 3 a.m. On Oct. 24, 2025, police surveillance — using a drone — observed Coyne leaving one motel around 11:30 p.m. and checking vehicles at another.

Officers attended and found a door handle had been tampered with. The next day, after obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, police seized a pink extendable spring-loaded 21-inch baton and numerous break-in tools, including a grinder, Sawzall, crowbars, chain cutter, chainsaw and a lock-pick kit. It was accepted that the baton had been in the vehicle since September.

Coyne was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon inside a vehicle and possessing break-in instruments. He admitted driving the vehicle to the industrial area and being present while two others committed theft. The Crown could not prove anything had been stolen from the parked vehicles, so the Justice found the theft under $5,000 charge unproven but not withdrawn; attempted theft under $5,000 was proven.

The Justice accepted a joint submission: a $500 fine plus the victim fine surcharge for attempted theft, 42 days: custody credited by pre-trial time served, and a five year weapons prohibition for possessing break-in instruments. The baton and tools were forfeited. Two additional charges — break and enter not into a dwelling and theft over $5,000 — were withdrawn.

“I’ve no intention of repeating actions,” Coyne told the court. Now living in the Brooks area nearer to his children, he said he wants to give them a better future and rebuild relationships he acknowledged he had damaged in the community.