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Police say some convicted Stanley Cup rioters are breaching court conditions

By: Cara McKenna, The Canadian Press

Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013 at 7:05 PM | Comments: 0

VANCOUVER - Stanley Cup rioters convicted for their part in a post-hockey rampage on Vancouver streets are continuing to flout the law, say city police.

Police allege as many as one-quarter of the 42 people they've been watching have breached their probation or recognizance orders.

Their contempt-of-court investigation involves 11 people and alleges they ignored court orders over conditions such as curfews, drinking alcohol, and entering Vancouver's downtown core where they have been banned.

Police have released seven names of adults who have been charged for breaching their court-imposed conditions.

Those charged include Camille Cacnio, a university student who stole two pairs of men's dress pants from Black & Lee the night of the riot, then posted a lengthy apology on her blog the next week.

A provincial court judge handed Cacnio a suspended sentence, probation and community work, saying the scathing campaign of online shaming that targeted her was more than enough to ensure she learned her lesson.

Police say four of the people being investigated for breaching conditions are youth and can't be named

Supt. Dean Robinson said he's disappointed the same people who showed disrespect for the community are now showing disrespect for the courts by violating their conditions.

"We've not made these extraordinary efforts just to see some rioters flout the law another time with their disrespect for the courts," said Robinson.

Robinson said he feels if the police department had more financial resources they would be able to press harder, do more checks and ultimately find more breaches.

Almost 200 people have been charged since the June 2011 riot, and 56 of them have been convicted and sentenced to various terms ranging from jail to house arrest.

The Integrated Riot Investigation Team has been monitoring dozens of the rioters to make sure they are meeting the terms of their sentences.

The team's Detective Const. Raj Mander said it has been difficult to keep tabs on the convicted rioters, because most of them live outside Vancouver.

He said one rioter has had six charges of breach approved, and another awaiting trial has been arrested and charged for a second, violent offence.

"There's one person that twice we've attended their residence and they have not been home," said Mander.

"One (other) individual, he had removed the magnets from the door frame so his alarm did not go off at night so his parents would not know he was coming and going."

Mander and Robinson both said budget shortfalls limit their investigations, but said they are committed to bringing the rioters to justice.

"We're powering along," said Mander.

"It's tough sometimes to ask the investigators who have families and stuff to give up their weekends to go out and do these (checks)."

Rioters burned and looted after the Vancouver Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final in June 2011.

Police have said they expect as many as 300 people will be charged for their role in the riot.

On Monday, new charges were laid against 33 more people, including taking part in a riot, mischief, assault and break and enter.

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