Dine, dash, detained: $64 meal worth four months in jail

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This article was published 09/10/2024 (366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — A Brandon judge called four months in jail “an incredible price to pay for a meal” as he sentenced a 42-year-old man for dining-and-dashing from a restaurant in Brandon.

Marco Raimondi pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining food from the Montana’s outlet in Brandon in April. At a hearing in provincial court Monday, the Crown and defence agreed on the four-month sentence for the man, who was convicted of a similar offence in the past.

On April 19, Brandon police were sent to the Montana’s restaurant on 18th Street after a customer skipped out on a $64 bill. Officers viewed video surveillance of the suspect.

Later, police were dispatched after an employee at the Parkwood Treatment Centre reported that a client had left. The addiction services employee provided a description of the man. Police determined the descriptions matched and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Crown attorney Nikki Boggs said aggravating factors were Raimondi’s criminal record and the length of time he’d been on warrant status.

“Deterrence and denunciation, obviously, are paramount in this,” Boggs said.

Lawyer Mark Packulak said his client was attending treatment for addiction when he committed the offence and is making progress with his treatment efforts.

Raimondi apologized to the court and said he hopes to continue treatment when he gets out of custody, with the goal of becoming a productive member of society.

Judge Patrick Sullivan agreed with the sentence recommendation, though he underscored how the sentence is meant to send a message to Raimondi.

“What an incredible price to pay for a meal — four months in custody,” the judge said.

After credit for time served, Raimondi will spend about two months behind bars.

— Brandon Sun