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Van thief sentenced to two years four months in jail

A Prince George man has been sentenced to two year and four months in jail for leading police on a chase in a stolen van and assaulting the vehicle's owner in carrying out the theft.
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A Prince George man has been sentenced to two year and four months in jail for leading police on a chase in a stolen van and assaulting the vehicle's owner in carrying out the theft.

Chad David Parkinson, 32, was issued the term Wednesday in Prince George provincial court for the September 22, 2017 incident. Parkinson had remained in custody since his arrest, for a total of eight months and two days.

Parkinson seriously injured the van's owner, RCMP said at the time, while stealing the vehicle from a Babine Crescent home in the Spruceland neighbourhood.

About 20 minutes later, it was seen on Highway 16 near Kimball Road on the city's west side. When RCMP activated their emergency equipment, the driver took off at a high speed and went into the Blue Spruce RV Park where it hit two metal gates and a police vehicle before running into a group of trees. The suspect fled on foot but was quickly caught, RCMP said.

The sentence applies to convictions for aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, fleeing police and mischief $5,000 or under.

Parkinson was also sentenced to three days in jail for possession of stolen property from a June 2017 incident and was assessed $1,100 in victim surcharges.