Forcing others into robberies nets 13 years

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This article was published 13/03/2010 (5701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a crime spree that included forcing others to carry out armed robberies by threatening violence against their families.

Bjarne Roussin was described in court Friday as someone who poses a high risk to reoffend and has “no respect” for society’s rules.

“He is a career criminal,” said Crown attorney Christina Kopynsky.

A jury convicted Roussin late last year of 17 criminal charges. Court was told he picked up two long-time friends in a rental car on Feb. 7, 2006, and drove them to three separate locations: Cash Converters in Transcona, The Cash Store on McPhillips Street and Insta Loan on Portage Avenue.

Roussin demanded the men commit robberies, saying he would go after their loved ones if they didn’t comply. He gave them specific instructions on what to do and handed his two co-accused a bandana, a balaclava and sunglasses to hide their faces. Roussin also gave the men a pellet gun that looked like a real firearm and a can of bear spray, telling them to use the weapons to “scare” their victims.

Roussin remained outside in the vehicle while all three robberies occurred. He then pocketed all the proceeds.

Winnipeg police had set up surveillance at several local payday-loan businesses and caught the third robbery as it happened. Officers tried to stop Roussin as he sped away in his rental car, but quickly lost him.

He pulled the same routine on Feb. 20, 2006, this time sending one of the men to rob the Pizza Hut on Portage Avenue and the Norwood Hotel beer vendor. Roussin paid the man $200 for his efforts, court was told.

The two co-accused pleaded guilty to their roles in the robberies and testified against Roussin.

Police investigators used technology to help crack the case by planting a GPS tracking system on Roussin’s vehicle, which allowed them to secretly record conversations going on inside. They suspected he was involved, based on a lengthy criminal history for similar robberies. Roussin was also caught on a telephone wiretap discussing another planned robbery with a man, court was told.

Roussin was also convicted this week on separate charges involving dangerous driving and uttering threats against his girlfriend, which were recorded on a listening device planted inside his vehicle.

Roussin has spent four years in custody since his arrest and was given double-time credit of eight years. He was still able to take advantage of the controversial two-for-one credit because his time in custody predates new federal legislation that came into effect last week and prohibits judges from awarding it.

Roussin was then given another five years behind bars.

www.mikeoncrime.com