10 years in prison for a thief who targeted farmers

A resident of the Durantaye, in Bellechasse, is sentenced to 10 years in prison for having directed a network of vehicle flights which particularly targeted farmers on the South Shore.

BFM

Frédéric Breton, 38, pleaded guilty to an accusation Kyrielle on Wednesday at the Quebec courthouse. In addition to many flights, he recognized his guilt to accusations of drug trafficking and a criminal fire targeting a man associated with Dave Pic Turmel, Criminal Gang Blood Family Mafia (BFM).

Breton managed a small team of thieves of active vehicles between 2022 and 2023 in the Bellechasse, Montmagny and La Beauce regions.

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According to the facts presented in the court, he identified vans left unattended, with the keys on board, on agricultural land. He then transmitted this information to his accomplices.

The group went there at night to commit flights. They used stolen vans to take away other goods, including snowmobiles, VTTtrailers or equipment stored in barns.

85 flights worth $ 1.9 million

The stolen vehicles were then transported to an isolated land belonging to Breton, in a row of the Durantaye.

On the spot, using a tool truck provided with pliers, it demolished certain vehicles after having recovered the value parts, such as catalysts. Other vehicles were rather sold.

The survey, baptized project rear view mirror, enabled the investigators of the Sûreté du Québec to establish links between the network and 85 flights, for a total value estimated at 1.9 million dollars.

Searches carried out in June 2023 led to the seizure of vehicles, automotive parts, trailers, boats and various equipment.

The accomplices of Frédéric Breton, Hugo Labonté and Marylyn Dubé, have already been sentenced to 8 years and 4 years in prison respectively, when a fourth suspect is still awaiting his trial.

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During the search at Breton, the police also found narcotics, scales and accounting lists.

The 10 -year sentence imposed on him results from a common suggestion of the Defense and the Crown.

It also includes a criminal fire in Lévis on April 4. Breton had then set fire to the Mercedes of Philippe-Antoine Blais, who would be involved in the conflict aimed at controlling drug trafficking.

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Ironically, the victim, Philippe-Antoine Blais, also appeared yesterday. He did so as accused this time, at the Quebec courthouse.

The crown prosecutor, Me François Doyon-Garon, stressed that Breton’s sentence reflected the scourge represented by vehicle flights.

Defense lawyer, Me Benoît Labrecque, said that his client, a father, would have exposed himself to a heavier sentence if he had chosen to challenge the accusations.

Judge Marc Gosselin has ratified the common suggestion. Breton has several judicial history, including a conviction of four years in prison for other flights in 2016.