Shoplifter of the month: Tool thief fined for setting bad example

A50-year-old man, who pled guilty to a single count of shoplifting in an Ontario court, would normally have received a discharge and no criminal record for a first offense, according to an article in the Kingston Whig-Standard. But Romuald Kowalski, who stole $173 worth of tools from a Canadian Tire store last April, was fined $500 because he involved his eldest son in the crime.

According to the testimony of store security personnel, the teenage boy was observed handing a wrench, ratchet and other items to his father, who removed the price tags and hid them in his clothing as the boy watched.

Father and son then went through the checkout line, where Kowalski paid for two items. Security officers found 15 other items on his person.

When asked to explain his actions in court, Kowalski further damaged his case by saying he had simply forgotten about the weight of hidden tools he was carrying when he went through checkout, according to the news paper.

“This was a simple accident,” Kowalski reportedly said.

The judge noted that he had the option of sparing the defendant a criminal conviction but would not consider it under the circumstances.

“This was not a simple accident,” the judge stated. “I‘m very concerned that you’re teaching your son to be a thief.”

Kowalski was given five months to pay the fine.